1. Everything
everything should be the most well-known one, after all, it is completely free, occupies little memory, search speed, is a very useful tool. Maybe someone will say, Windows also has its own search tool, there is a need to install this?
This is the system’s own search tool, this snail-like search speed is really doubtful life.
Then try everything, the search speed is shocking, I think it’s a bit insulting to use the word “second” to describe it. Before using it, check the auto-focus input box in Tools – Options – Interface – and set a shortcut to wake up the software. You can restrict the type of search, check the filters in the view and you can define the search field. There is also a preview function that allows you to quickly display documents, pictures and videos.
Right-click on a file to open and copy the file path, and for those who like to tinker, you can also search using regular expressions, for which the software kindly provides a syntax. But the default search function is quite adequate.
How EveryThing is used to the fullest
2. Listary
Listary is a lightweight software, does not take up too much system resources, not only can search for files, applications, but also network search. Quick start: double-click the “Ctrl” key to quickly wake up the search box, no mouse operation.
Search for files: When you want to find a file, just type in a keyword, and with a simple shortcut, you will get the search result in seconds and then you can open the file directly.
Search for applications: You can also search for applications already installed on your computer, launch them quickly and manage their uninstallation as well.
Network search: In addition to searching for local files and applications, you can also do a network search. To search Baidu for example, after opening the search box, type in “bd XXX” (XXX is what you are searching for).
Note: Remember to put a space between bd and the content you want to search for, otherwise you will get the corresponding file.
You can also set your own keywords to search for content more quickly, for example, I have added the websites B and Zhihu. In addition to this, it is possible to copy or move files from any folder to any folder with simple commands, jump to the target folder from the file manager and much more.
Listary is fast, convenient, small and full-featured.
Listary – redefining document search and browsing
3. AnyTXT Searcher
AnyTXT Searcher is a free text content search tool, search text very fast, no matter how large the text file can be searched in seconds to complete. The software supports the search of various Office documents, text files, code, PDF documents and other content.
Let’s get a feel for its speed.
The reason it is so fast is that after installation it automatically reads the files on your computer to create an indexing system of files and content, eventually creating a database of meta-information for searching, which means it is based on an index for searching.
It supports a wide range of file formats, open Edit – Index – Files and you will see the supported file formats, the common doc, pdf, and the less common epub, mobi files are all supported.
It supports fuzzy matching and exact full-text matching, and also supports limiting to a certain disk or file type, allowing us to find the files we need more quickly and accurately.
As we said before, index-based searching is very fast, but there is also a problem: if the content of a file is changed, we cannot find it by the keywords we searched for before, because the file index has not been updated yet.
However, we can set the update interval of the index, which by default is 1 hour, or we can update it manually and immediately, so that we can find the modified file with the same keywords.
Each of these three local search tools has its own distinctive features. Everything is positioned as an alternative to traditional local search tools such as Google Desktop, and is similar to AnyTXT Searcher, although AnyTXT Searcher searches by file content. Both have a preview function.
AnyTXT Searcher – Full text search tool
Listary, on the other hand, is a search-based file location and manipulation and folder switching aid.
If the main role of Everything is to solve the problem of unchanging file opening methods in Windows, Listary is mainly to solve the problem of inconvenient browsing and saving in Windows.
You can choose the right tool according to different needs or scenarios.
I have shared my humble opinion with you, which is not too comprehensive, and I hope it will help you.
