Windows 7 - 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

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.

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.

well i use Directory Opus which blows PowerDesk out of the water, so i think i'll stick with my search apps

hmm it looks very similar to something like this one: Locate32 Web Site - Home

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.

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!

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.

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