I Need a very good file search application

[HeXen]

I hate windows 7 search. Some files it wont find even though the folder is indexed and i know right where its at. And it can't handle misspellings which i do often.
Everything works really, really well and faster, more thorough than Windows Search....but i have to open its window to start searching and it indexs similar by matching only what i type, not a huge deal, i'm just trying to be mor efficient in how i use my PC.

i'm hoping to find a really good file search utility that has a search box on the desktop or start bar...just a simple search box i can place where i need it that will display quickly the file i'm typing in...even if i misspell it cause i don't type great.
I know theres Google Search but i dont want it to find web stuff too...just files on my HD only and nothing intrusive or sending out my info.

Any help?

 

[imported_brandon]

http://www.voidtools.com/

I really like Everything search from those guys. It's a lot faster than the standard search in Windows.

 

[AFurryReptile]

There's got to be something on this list:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-desktop-search-utility.htm

Personally, I think W7's search bar is great, and haven't tried any of those.

 

[13Gigatons]

Another vote for Everything.

 

[Modelworks]

If you want windows search to work better you have to make sure you add all drives and folders to the search list for indexing. It only does the user directories unless you tell it otherwise. If you check a drives properties it has a check box that says allow this drive to be indexed, but that doesn't add it to the search index, it just gives a user permission TO add it to the index. MS made a mistake here I think because it confuses the user. A simple, index this drive box would have been better.

In control panel open indexing options and add the drives or folders you want indexed.

If you click advanced and open the file types tab, there is another option labeled index properties and content. Search is able to find content within a file. So if you want to find a .doc file with the word resume in it, search can do that if it is enabled.

Another thing I do is put the index on a different drive than the OS. This makes searches faster and keeps me from losing the index if I re-install. The option to change it is in the advanced menu.

 

[HeXen]

Everything would be a good app if it had a search box i can put on my taskbar or something instead of opening the entire application window. But i'm gonna check out Coppernic desktop search...it has option to put search box on my taskbar and pops up a display with the results, looks to be what i'm wanting but first i'll have to make sure it can find files well.

With windows search, even if i check the entire drive to index and rebuild the index, sometimes it still will not find the file i'm looking for. For instance, it will find the game Just Cause 2.exe but it will not find Portal.exe which is another game on the same game folder in the same partition. just odd things like that.

Edit: aww crap, Coppernic desktop also searches the web and has a built in browser apparantly. looks a bit bloated too. but i may keep it if i can't find better.

 

[mojaveron]

I have been using FileLocator Pro for years there is nothing better or faster.



http://www.mythicsoft.com/Page.aspx?type=filelocatorpro&page=home

 

[lxskllr]

Google Desktop?

 

[khat17]

Personally I use EVERYTHING and disable indexing on my Windows partition. Wish I could find something as nice to use on Linux.....

 

[thedosbox]

Edit: aww crap, Coppernic desktop also searches the web and has a built in browser apparantly. looks a bit bloated too. but i may keep it if i can't find better.

IME, Copernic was also slower than Windows search.

You do know you can initiate a search from the start menu right? Just start typing into the box under "All programs" on your start menu. No need to open up an explorer window.

 

[Binky]

Agent Ransack. Best free search tool ever made.