For a long time I have been using Copernic Desktop Search and now I am told that it is known to cause crashes. So I would like to use the search box above the start button BUT I want to set it up so that it searches only the folders in my libraries - not the entire machine. Is there a way of setting this up? Would it find individual words or just file names? Are there any teach-yourself pages around? Thanks in advance for all help.
Disable Indexing in Services, and install "Everything" instead from
Everything Search Engine
Lightning fast, and literally finds everything including hidden and system files.
Everything is a great tool, but it only finds file names, not contents. It works about as fast as you can type in a search name.
I have found Agent Ransack which is very fast and searches content. One annoying factor: it's default search is the entire c: drive but it allows selection of particular folders. However, the next time you use it, it is back to its default entire c: drive. Ex. You set it to search My Documents and that's where it searches; but the next time you open it, My Documents has disappeared from the "search locations" and it's back to c:. Annoying if you have to enter 6 folders one at a time each time you search.
Agent Ransack supports parameters and this one may do what you want:
-d Directory(s) to search (i.e. the Look In field), use -dw for current working directory
Change the Agent Ransack link properties and add the above then it should start with those folders always in the Look In field.
Edit: Yup, it works. I added -d C:\Users\Owner\Documents and when I start AR that is the folder it opens to search. Not sure how you add multiple folders, may separate with a comma??
Nope, use a semi-colon ; to separate folders, I.E.
C:\Users\Owner\Documents;C:\Users\Owner\Desktop;C:\Users\Owner\Downloads
Not the case here. Check your history settings (see attachment). I use the drop down list a lot.However, the next time you use it, it is back to its default entire c: drive
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