as the title says, i am looking for a good program to search drives. hard drives is the main target but network searches are better if available, the program or tool needs to search for file types and maybe search contents. free is best but a paid option is ok as long as its worth it and a reasonable price
This article hasn't been updated recently, but it will give you several free options to choose from: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-desktop-search-utility.htm I still use and love Locate32 as a free option. The key is that it can look within files and search for words/terms within the files.
I've been using Agent Ransack for a while now; totally disabled Windows Search. It also comes in 64bit version.
This doesn't search metadata, but I have to say that this must be the handiest search tool I have ever used. And did I mention fast?
I use Agent Ransack, Everything & Windows search. Just when I want stay with 1 the others make a unique search better.
Everything does not search within files or search contents, but for finding files/folders it is very fast:
MasterSeeker vs SwiftSearch vs Everything vs UltraSearch . I dont want to get into A vs B but the verdict/Evaluation ? Using Everything for now
Its basically a free lite version of FileLocatorPro. With Everything, it ought to cover every seach need in Windows. Tons better than the built-in Windows search tool.
Notes on running a "portable" version of Locate32: On first run, L32 finds the user Roaming directory and creates a Locate32 folder where the default-named files.db is written. When run from a USB stick, when ejected the db remains with the record of session in nice plaintext. One must remember to delete the file via the UI or manually deleting the file itself. When run from the local drive, the database editor can be used to point the db to another path or partition. Its Roaming directory can be deleted and won't be recreated. For Settings the default portable.ini reads: When renamed, the settings are written to the portable's local drive path as portable.reg. But not when run from a USB stick; it's possible then the settings is written to the system registry but I haven't had the time to check for that. Further info is in locate-example.ini. These portable-but-not issues aside, Locate32 is fast and efficient.
As stated earlier, it does not search for words within files. That is a big need for me in my work. In addition, in a work environment, Everything has had some issues for me in accessing network shares or networked drives. Everything is indeed, very fast. But, others (for just finding files or folders), are fast as well.
Alexhousek, What tool do you use? HAve you ever heard or Lookeen? The full version will search network shares and networked drives. We also have a free version that is just like Everything, but it will search file content as well: https://free.lookeen.com Let me know what you think. Cheers, Eric (Full disclosure: I work for the developers of Lookeen)
I looked at Lookeen several years ago for my article over at Gizmo's Freeware. At that time, if I remember correctly, it didn't have a freeware version. And, just now, I went to the Lookeen website and there is no mention of a freeware version; only a trial version?! Again, if my memory serves me correctly, I did trial Lookeen many years ago and loved it's ability to search through Outlook pst files. This is what I could find on the Lookeen website about the types of options available for Lookeen:
With Everything 1.4beta it's possible to search the contents of files. Use advanced search and type in @ "A word or phrase in the file" the word you want to find, or simply add content:"abc" to your existing search query to find abc in the files.
Thanks for the link. However, for me, the free version is not much use. It cannot search networked drives and it cannot search Outlook or pst files. The one positive is that it can search within files or documents.
Same over here, it's hard to beat it. Fast and simple. I have never heard about Lookeen, will check it out.
I hate to start a new thread so I am adding my question here. I see Everything is now at 1.4 and wanted to try it but can not find the answer to keeping the db updated automatically. I have a 32 GB system with a Z170 MoBo so have a fast system. However, can the db be updated whenever a new file is added or the name changed? I do not want to do a search and not have a new file show up, so want it to be automatic.
OK...I will look. Thank You. I do see this, however... Listary was always created and developed as a side project, with a lot of love but scarce resources. Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to continue. For this, we’re deeply sorry.
I guess you have found the "wrong" Listary. The correct Listary search tool is there: http://www.listary.com/
