Fast, Powerful Search Utility Enables Hidden features


  1. Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
       #1

    Fast, Powerful Search Utility Enables Hidden features


    In a previous post I mentioned Powerdesk

    It's File Finder feature leaves Windows Search in the dust.

    You can search using wild cards, including multiple wild cards, such as lf*12*.dll. this will locate all occurrences of Lead Tools graphic viewers that require version 12.

    My initial search took 2 minutes, the C:\winsxs folder taking the most amount of time.

    The initial search is the slowest, but still far superior to Windows Search. This search went through two partitions containing 87,500 files and 5,700 folders. the subsequent search only took only 15 seconds

    You can append file result searches

    You can limit search by path or drives

    You can search the internal contents of files

    You can search by attributes

    You can search by Date, Time, and Size

    You can filter by any file type.

    The right-click context menu after the search results are complete reveal the hidden CopyAsPath command, as well as the hidden SendTo options, such as:
    Contacts
    Desktop
    Downloads
    favorites
    My Documents
    My Music
    My Pictures
    My Videos
    Saved Games
    Searches

    They were previously only available with a certain keyboard combination.

    http://www.geocities.com/reghacker/F...dergeneral.jpg
    http://www.geocities.com/reghacker/f...derdetails.jpg
    http://www.geocities.com/reghacker/f...derdetails.jpg
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  2. Posts : 575
    7600 x86
       #2

    i just performed a similar search with Everything (ls*.dll) and it took me under a second. granted, it's from an index, but still, the indexing process takes less time than your search did! i could have narrowed it down with a regex search, but i don't know regex very well...

    Everything doesn't do attribute or date or other advanced searches, so i combine it with SearchMyFiles from NirSoft, giving me a perfect combo - Everything for quick file finding, and SearchMyFiles for more advanced queries. both apps are tiny, portable, and amazingly fast.
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  3. Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Everything is an excellent utility as well.

    Also, Nirsoft has some of the best utilities available.

    With all the options available with the File Finder feature, I still feel it's a better search utility, IMHO.
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  4. Posts : 575
    7600 x86
       #4

    well i use Directory Opus which blows PowerDesk out of the water, so i think i'll stick with my search apps
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  5. Posts : 4,925
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #5

    hmm it looks very similar to something like this one: Locate32 Web Site - Home
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  6. Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #6

    garbanzo said:
    well i use Directory Opus which blows Powerdesk out of the water, so i think i'll stick with my search apps
    I also use an older version of Directory Opus (6.1) as well. Many powerful options with this program as well as adding shortcuts and creating new toolbars.

    However, the search is much slower than Powerdesk's File Finder feature. Again, enabling the hidden features on the SendTo menu is a plus as well

    swarfega,

    I'll have to give Locate32 a try also as it looks promising. I see it's available in a 64-bit version as well.
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  7. Posts : 575
    7600 x86
       #7

    yes, the built in search in Opus, while extremely powerful, is terribly slow. which is why i use other search apps.

    i used to use Locate32 until i tried Everything. no comparison!
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  8. Posts : 1,614
    Windows 7 Pro & Vista Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #8

    True,

    When I first ran Everything, I was amazed at how fast it located every file on the system including my send hard drive and an attached 500 GB USB drive.
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  9. t41
    Posts : 226
    windows7 7600 x86
       #9

    Thanks for info guys
    Update: I am going with Search Everything - It seems to be able to find items in all of my five external drives as quickly as I can type - I love it!!
    Like the other program for mxp pc for my business, but like the clean look of the default explorer for my windows 7 pc.

    rep you both for the info, never crossed my mind to look for a different search program - had Grump, but i don't even have a need for such a program, or patience
    Last edited by t41; 13 Jul 2009 at 17:55.
      My Computer


 

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