alternative to windows search

Hi There,

Since using Win 7 I have found it pretty decent, but the one thing I still have issue with is the built in file search.

What is the best simple and light alternative to this which I can run only when I want to, and with the capability for advanced searches?

 

>> What is the best simple and light alternative to this which I can run only when I want to, and with the capability for advanced searches? brobin101 <<

I never use Windows 7 built-in search engine. My favorite search tool is a freeware product called "Everything" search engine.

I don't think it is available here at MajorGeeks but it can be found here - simply Google the following phrase: "Everything Search Engine from Voidtools" and the first Google search result link will take you directly to the developer's website.

Side Notes: this program is much more 'accurate' than the built-in Windows search and 'Everything' is very configurable; however I would definitely suggest that you peruse the included HELP files prior to using it in order to get the most out of using it. Also, when you first start the program it takes a few moments (approximately 30-60 seconds, actually) to scan the entire hard drive before you can use it to search for files or folders. This is a short time considering I have a 1 TB hard drive that is about three quarters full. After that initial brief scan the program will start immediately and be ready to start searching at that time (until the next time the computer starts, I mean).

I actually use this utility so often that I "pinned" it to my taskbar for easy access.

Good Luck! - COMP

 

Great folks thanks. I'll look into them.

 

Perfect! thank you

 

Best is subjective. However, in terms of sheer functionality and familiarity I would say FileSearchEX. Everything is nice but requires admin rights, does not look inside files, and cannot scan over a UNC path ... I think that rules it out as "advanced".

 

>> Best is subjective. However, in terms of sheer functionality and familiarity I would say FileSearchEX. Everything is nice but requires admin rights, does not look inside files, and cannot scan over a UNC path ... I think that rules it out as "advanced" pcunite <<

I agree that 'best' is always a somewhat personal subjective term when it comes to software choices out there. I like using Everything for quick 'targeted' file searches using such options as 'Match the case' and 'Match whole words only.' When enabled the search string will only match words with white spaces at the start and end. For example: 'too' will not match 'tool' (too will only match too). But the best thing about Everything; besides its simplicity, is that unlike many other search utilities, it is very easy to 'narrow down' the search, so as not to deliver redundant and/or a gazillion unrelated results. However you are correct that this utility unfortunately does not allow search for text within files.

Two Other Excellent 'More Advanced' Search Tool freeware Choices:

Another freeware alternative of an 'advanced' in-depth search of the computer or external drive (including search for text within files), which I also recommend and use is the free Index Your Files search utility which comes in both an installer and portable versions. http://www.indexyourfiles.com/. Superfinder XT standard is also a decent freeware product (as a replacement for the Windows built-in search) that can search also within text - plain or Unicode - within files. I especially like the ability to simply "right-click" to search; as well as two separate Superfinder XT operating modes, Simple and Advanced. The program doesn't index your files but is still very fast. http://fsl.sytes.net/products.html.

Side Note: As for FileSearchEX, I actually tested this program a while back and I agree that it works very fast and I also like the XP Classic Search style for those who may not fancy the Windows 7 search. However, while FileSearchEX works well - it is actually not FREE, but is shareware. The personal version is $10 (per installation) and business license for commercial, non-profit, charity or other groups costs $30 plus $1 per user (not per computer) of the software. Additionally, according to the FileSearchEX site; the very latest version released in February fixed a couple of (minor) issues with display errors on multi-display systems as well as an error showing PDF thumbnails when Adobe is installed.

Good Luck -- COMP

 

I've been running Everything and it's great so far, very quick.

How do I recategorize this .exe so that Windows 7 does not question it's safety every time I run it?

 

Hi...

You can try this: right-click the Everything .exe, click Properties > Compatibility, check "Run this program as an administrator" and click "Ok". Then run the Everything program, see if you get the UAC prompt.

If you do, then you may be stuck with the prompt. As far as I know, Microsoft has not offered a Windows 7 UAC "whitelist".