The Best 9 File Searchers for Windows – Simplify Your Search Process

As modern technologies have transformed various aspects of our lives, the way we manage our files has also evolved with time. Regardless of whether you are an individual or business owner, your PC is most likely overflowing with files. While Windows comes with a default file explorer that we use to perform file-related tasks, it doesn’t have advanced features that can simplify our life when we search for particular files. Therefore, third-party file searchers are vital tools that can help us manage our files efficiently. These tools come with many advanced features, making it easier to locate files quickly. In this article, we would narrow down our search and give you the best file searchers for Windows.

Video Tutorial:

What is a File Searcher?

File searchers are software tools used to search and locate files or folders on our systems through a range of methods. These methods can be by file name, file type, creation date, modification date, or keyword search. The primary reason why it’s vital to use a file searcher is to make sure that we don’t lose our files in our computer’s vast storage capacity. With the help of file searchers, you can locate files in just seconds, making it easier to manage files and folders on your PC.

The following are the best file searchers for Windows:

1. Everything

Everything is a free and fast file searcher for Windows that indexes the names of files and folders available on our computers. The tool uses minimal system resources, making it an ideal solution for laptops and low-end PCs. With Everything, you can search files and folders with specific names, keywords, or even wildcards. The software’s interface is straightforward, making it easy for beginners to use.

Pros:

• It’s fast and lightweight.
• Has an extensive range of features.
• Its interface is user-friendly.
• It is available for free.

Cons:

• It doesn’t search file content.
• It doesn’t index system folders by default, which could lead to hidden files being missed.
• It can only search NTFS formatted volumes.

2. Copernic Search

Copernic Search is a desktop search solution that provides advanced search filters and indexing options, making it easier to locate files wherever they are located on your PC. The software can search through emails, documents, music, pictures, and videos. It supports over 150 file types and allows you to preview files before opening.

Pros:

• It is user-friendly.
• It can search file content.
• It has a preview pane.
• It comes with advanced search filters.

Cons:

• It doesn’t support Boolean search operators.
• The user interface looks outdated.
• Its free version only indexes up to 75,000 files.

3. FileSeek

FileSeek is another paid desktop search tool that comes with advanced features such as regular expression support, search inside archives, and file content search. The software is easy to customize, allowing you to adjust the settings to your preferences.

Pros:

• You can search by file content and name.
• It’s customizable.
• It supports regular expressions.
• It can search inside archives.

Cons:

• Its free version only has limited features.
• The user interface might be challenging for beginners to use.
• It doesn’t have Boolean search capabilities.

4. Ultrasearch

Ultrasearch is a fast file searcher that supports partial matches, Boolean operators, as well as keywords search. The software is lightweight and can search files across multiple NTFS volumes within seconds.

Pros:

• It is lightning fast.
• It’s free to use.
• You can search using Boolean operators.
• It has partial matching capabilities.

Cons:

• It doesn’t support search inside archives.
• It doesn’t have an indexing feature.
• It doesn’t support content search.

5. Everything Search Engine

If you’re looking for a heavyweight file searcher capable of searching across multiple drives, then Everything Search Engine is the best option for you. This software is the ‘big brother’ of Everything that we discussed earlier. It is an incredibly powerful search engine that can search through thousands of files within seconds. Everything Search Engine searches by file name, folder, and content.

Pros:

• It’s free and portable.
• It can search by content, folder, or name.
• It supports Boolean operators.
• It can search on multiple drives.

Cons:

• It doesn’t support indexing.
• The user interface is not very attractive.
• It doesn’t search inside archives.

6. Agent Ransack

Agent Ransack is a free file search tool from Mythicsoft. The software can find files by searching file and folder names, file content, as well as inside archives. The software is user-friendly, and it’s easy to configure.

Pros:

• It is free to use.
• It’s easy to use.
• It can search inside archives.
• It can search by file content and name.

Cons:

• The free version doesn’t encrypt index files.
• It doesn’t support Boolean operators.
• The user interface is a bit outdated.

7. Listary

Listary is a powerful file searcher that boasts a range of advanced features such as keyword search, fuzzy search, and search-as-you-type. The tool is installed on your system’s menu bar, and you can activate the search bar by pressing a hotkey.

Pros:

• It has an intuitive user interface.
• It supports keyword search.
• It is easy to use.
• It’s customizable.

Cons:

• It’s not free.
• It doesn’t support searching inside archives.
• You have to donate to get advanced features.

8. WizFile

WizFile is a free and ultra-fast file searcher that searches your PC’s hard drive and displays the results in real-time, showing which file types use up the most space. The software is lightweight, ultra-fast, and easy to use.

Pros:

• It’s free and lightweight.
• It’s ultra-fast and displays files in real-time.
• It’s easy to use.
• It can search by file content and name.

Cons:

• It doesn’t support Boolean search operators.
• It doesn’t search inside archives.
• It doesn’t support search on multiple drives.

9. AstroGrep

AstroGrep is a free and open-source file searcher that’s designed to search for text strings within files stored on your computer. The software supports regular expressions and can search within archives.

Pros:

• It is open-source and free.
• It’s easy to use.
• It supports regular expressions.
• It can search within archives.

Cons:

• It only searches by filename and content.
• It doesn’t have Boolean operators.
• The user interface is not very attractive.

Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software

Our Thoughts on the Best 9 File Searchers for Windows

Overall, these nine tools are excellent file searchers for Windows, but they all differ in their method of searching for files. Everything Search Engine is the winner in this case since it searches fast and with precision. It’s incredibly lightweight, and it doesn’t require any indexing time. Copernic Search and Agent Ransack are also worth considering if you’re looking for more advanced features. Copernic Search is a great tool for someone who wants to have a more accessible interface, while Agent Ransack is an option for people who want to search file content directly. For those looking for a free and open-source option that could be customized, AstroGrep and Everything are the best choices.

FAQs

Q1: How can I search for a specific file on my Windows 10?

A: You can use the default Windows 10 search option to locate your file. Alternatively, you can install any of the above-discussed file searchers to simplify the process of searching for a specific file.

Q2: Can I use these file searchers to look for hidden files?

A: Yes, most of these file searchers come with advanced search options that allow you to search for hidden files.

Q3: Do these file searchers work with Windows 7?

A: Yes, most of these software tools are compatible with Windows 7 and other Windows operating systems.

Q4: Can I use these file searchers to search for specific words in a document?

A: Yes, most of the discussed file searchers allow you to search within a document’s content.

Q5: Are these file searchers safe to use?

A: Yes, all the software mentioned are safe to use since there’s no risk of installing malware or viruses.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, file searchers are essential tools that make managing files more comfortable and less stressful. Each of the above-discussed tools boasts unique features that are useful in various situations. We, therefore, recommend that you try one or all of them and decide which one best suits you.