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Desktop Search Engines
- Best desktop search tool overall Google Desktop 5 *Est. $0
- Searches the most file types Copernic Desktop Search Professional 3.1 *Est. $50
- Fastest desktop search for PC Everything *Est. $0
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Fastest desktop search for PC
- Fastest desktop search
- Automatically re-indexes changed files
- Indexes file folder names
- Can run from a USB flash drive
- Windows only
- Doesn't index text inside files
- Not compatible with some older PC file systems
March 2009. For near-instant searches of file and folder names on a PC, reviews recommend a tiny application called Everything. It performs searches in real time as you type, and it can index a large hard drive in seconds. It can even be launched from a USB flash drive, as long as you have administrative privileges for the computer; this way, you don't even have to install the app on your PC. For searches of text and metadata inside files, however, or for use on a computer running Linux or Mac OS, reviews point to Google Desktop instead. The Everything application works only with NTFS file systems, not FAT systems, which is used by older PCs. (Check your computer's hard drive settings to confirm which type you have.)
We found the most credible review of Everything search engine at Download.com, where it's rated by CNET editors and by more than 100 users. The January 2009 review at MakeUseOf.com includes a screen shot and compares Everything search engine with three other desktop search tools. Freeware Genius explains how Everything achieves its speed, and a long forum discussion at the Portable Freeware Collection compares it with another free tool, Locate32. A brief review at 84 Productions simply highlights the advantages of Everything search engine.
Our Sources
1. Download.com
At CNET's download site, editors rate the Everything search application four stars (on a five-point scale), praising its real-time search and extreme speed: a million files in one minute. Over 100 users give it an even higher rating, ranking it higher than any other desktop search engine.
Review: Everything 1.2.0.323b, Editors and contributors to Download.com
This recent write-up recommends Everything search engine "not for full blown desktop search, but in a crisis where I need that file and I need it now!" according to anonymous reviewer "Ben." Based on hands-on usage, the reviewer praises the application for its speed and real-time searching as you type.
Review: Top 4 Desktop Search Tools To Find That Elusive File, "Ben", Jan. 2009
Freeware Genius offers users the opportunity to submit reviews for free software. Anonymous contributor "Samer" explains how Everything's search engine works by accessing the PC's NTFS file system rather than scanning the entire hard drive. The resulting speed "beats the pants off of Windows' default search function."
Review: Everything: Small, Lightning-fast Desktop Search Program for NTFS Drives, "Samer", Nov. 2008
4. The Portable Freeware Collection
This forum discussion compares Everything search engine with another popular free desktop search engine for Windows, Locate32. A major advantage of Everything, in addition to its speed, is its portability via USB flash drive -- but Locate32 can work on a FAT32 drive while Everything requires NTFS.
Review: Everything Search Engine, Oct. 2008
This brief blog post praises Everything search engine for its speed and minimal use of computer resources.
Review: Everything Search Engine, Gaganpreet Singh, Sept. 26, 2008
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