This is a follow-up message, to my earlier request for help in activation (message no. 50).

I would like to thank the Support Team at Midlinesoft for solving my problem, in precisely 26 minutes of my writing to them! Such professionalism is rare.

A second ‘Thank You’ to GoTD, for bringing us these ‘goodies’ day after day... Keep it up!

it couldn't even find its self, i search for "FileSearchy Pro" but didn't find the zip and the folder where unziped in .../my documents/downloaded files

@Ashraf (#1)
When click for your "Final Verdict" - you mention under "Cons" - "There appears to be no way to clear search history". To clear the search history, go to "Tools-Options" under General" click on the "Clear search history" button. A window will pop up and ask you "Do you really want to clear search history?" Click "Yes" and then "OK" the "Options" box. It worked for me.
Ashraf, Thank you for all your reviews. I always look forward to reading them.

I like this program very much. I will be using this all the time. Thanks GOTD and Midlinesoft.

@Dennis & @Robert W
For searching inside PST files, I've for years used NEO Email Organiser at www.caelo.com . It's what Outlook should have been. While Outlook from 2007 has had a useful search function, NEO is as versatile as you can imagine - updates indexes only as mail arrives, and it lets you look at your email in many views using only one core of data - reading, sorting, filtering, categorising messages every which-way. And it can work on multiple PSTs simultaneously. Free and value versions.

For those finding it difficult to install as a full version,the general rule for GAOTD is to first install the program.Then close it without running it. Then run the Activate.exe while the program is still closed. This always works for me. The exception is when an activation/registration serial is provided or where (God forbid) you have to provide an email address to obtain the serial.
Hope this helps.

XYPlorer is the best overall File Manager.
Search this site to read about it, in a previous giveaway.
MS (who no longer have analysts on their staff), should study that program.
It does not pre-index.
Press F12 to show/hide the search panel.

It has a fully functional trial period, and has a very polite Install.

If I was sent to Mars, that is the File Manager I would take.
Rob

No doubt this program does what it's supposed to do but I've been using XYplorer for quite some time and this does it all. I've looked at all the freebies and other sharewares posted above but I've found XYplorer has the best hands-down, bar-none, user interface I've ever seen in a file search application plus it searches for and finds hidden files on my OS so I think I'll stick with this program. I don't think anything even comes close to beating it for features. I'm surprised no one has even mentioned this great piece of software.

If you want to take a look at XYplorer's GUI, see link below:

http://www.xyplorer.com/shots.htm

I have used Copernic for years. Anyone who believes that Windows can perform the same kind of searches should really try a pro software. There is no comparison.

Absolutely the BEST, FREE, and PORTABLE file searcher and indexer:

http://www.indexyourfiles.com/

Suggestion: It would be nice if this excellent quick search software could search other drives than the C:\ drive, or specific directories on servers, as does Copernic Desktop Search (US $50.00). This is a feature that is very useful in an office environment. But I will definitely use it at home. Thank you very much Midlinesoft and GOTD.

"One of the first things I do when installing a new OS is turn off indexing."

HOW?

Same activation problem as some other members (continues to show up as the 21-day trial version). On double-clicking Activate.exe, the inital WinZip Caution regarding exe-files appeared. After giving permission to open the file (by clicking on Yes), the processing hour-glass prompt flashes for a second ; then nothing. No dialog-box for further action / selection ; no activation confirmation message / webpage.

Troubleshooting attempted :

1. Tried everything suggested in No. 6 & 10 ...repeatedly.
2. Ran the downloaded zip-file through my Internet Security Suite. (In case a 'false positive' was preventing the .exe from executing.) It gave a 'clean' report.
3. Did both -- an 'over-install' as well as an uninstall-reinstall.
4. Installed and activated the software, both offline and on.
5. In addition to exiting and re-opening the tool as advised, also removed the default check-mark in Options > General > Run in background.
6. Had closed all other applications and windows during installation (though not asked for), as some software require that to avoid a reboot.
7. Still did a system shutdown-restart, in case that updated the program's system-files or registry entry.

Nothing helped.

My OS is Win-XP:SP3. I'm no techie, but I've installed around a dozen GOTDs from this site. And they all went off without a hitch. (...Other than the occasional bug, which tells us that the software has been auto-registered, when actually it still needs to be done manually, by entering the key provided.)

Please help.

After scanning the included 'Read Me' file I had a clean and quick installation, with successful activation.

Installed on Windows 8.1, 1T HDD, 8GB DDR3 SDRAM, 4x2 Core Processor, 1GB dedicated graphics.

This is an excellent piece of software, especially for anyone who is less than impressed with the 'File Explorer', a stock tool found on MS machines.

It finds files fast and is very easy to understand. Although I haven't done an extensive test of the software, the tests I did perform had great results.

Simply typing a single word into the search bar produced a myriad of results and seemed to list the most relevant files first.

It can be used like 'File Explorer', in that you can search using a single word. However, the is an incredible difference in the amount of time needed to populate a search result, very impressive.

In comparison, I searched 'UFO' - as I have some UFO pictures/videos and documents - in both 'FileSearchy Pro' and 'File Explorer'. 'FileSearchy' produced an extensive results list in a matter of seconds. 'File Explorer' was still searching (the little green search bar was slow moving, as usual) and had not produced a single result before 'FileSearchy Pro' had produced a complete list.

When 'File Explorer' finally produced some results, there were many results found in 'FileSearchy Pro' that were not included in 'File Explorer' - they were indeed relevant.

Since it's free and does it's duty well, I would suggest taking this software home and keeping it until a better program is created or you die - even if you only use it in a minimal capacity or as a replacement to "File Explorer's" search tool.

Thanks GAOTD!

Finally got the program to activate properly. Normally, I just run the activation from inside Winzip, but this time I had to extract the files first....then the Activate program works.

Really great program - superfast! Recommended!

While this is really a pretty good tool, especially for free today, the king in this arena remains WinGrep. Same abilities (plus much more) for the same price if purchased - without indexing and lightening fast ( seriously - about 25-100 times faster on same trials on Win8.1).My $0.02.

I am very happy to use the standard search build into Windows. However sometimes I need more then the standard search and than this comes in handy. Tried it, liked it.. giving thums up

What's the best file search for a large music collection? We have plenty of storage space and we ripped all our CDs in .wav format. Sometimes i search for a song title and Windows doesn't find it, probably because the filename is artist-name based rather than song-title based or something like that. Does anybody have a good suggestion for a search tool that will find songs quickly? It's OK if it needs to build an index, no problem there.

Don't have any need for this, as I've been using "Wise Jet Search for a few years, and it's ALWAY'S free, and it does the absolute fastest, deepest search that I've ever used. $24.95 for this one?! REALLY?? For what?

@ DVMarsh:
FileSearchy uses the same principle as Everything to index file names: reads MFT, and subscribes to changes by reading NTFS Change Journal.

Hi, thanks for Today's Offer and so many useful free suggestions from kind Users. I'm on Win7 and as we all know it's own Search Engine is basically a nightmare on steroids! Far gone are now earlier Windows' 'searches' where one could so easily find any tinniest File, what's more by Date alone if not by name (last week, last month aso) and it was so helpful especially after removing Programs using Windows own removing feature.., or indeed to find something niggling that happened on specific date.

I tested FileSearchy Pro 1.11 on traces of 'SoundFrost' on my PC (Program which last year in May caused quite a few problems for many Folk) - and it correctly (and very fast) found them all (also on external Drive, I too left 'Automatically index new removable drives' box un-ticked in Options) It also led me to a Folder on drive C, Windows7's didn't at all (I tested it again today to compare)

Today's Software naturally 'could be better' - it hasn't got 'back arrow' and on fresh start comes up (by default?, don't know yet, but slightly annoying) with last search not refreshing itself, hmm. It goes away only after New Search is chosen and previous name of last File crossed off properly.
One more thing - it might help to have 'show hidden files, folders, drives' set on view in Folder options in Windows.

I intend to look around for other Apps, but am happy enough to keep this one. Thanks GAOTD and Midlinesoft for this Software. Neat Tool.

Another + mention for everything. http://www.voidtools.com/download.php Portable, Free, Build an index of files valid for the current session, index updated in real time. Ultra fast.
Also a mention + for Copernic Desktop Search (free & paid version). Permanent index updated in real time, including files content of pps, doc, pdf, mail etc.
A + mention also and big thank you to GAOTD, Giovanni (special mention), Ashraf, Mike, and all the others for your usefull comments.

I use the freeware "Everything" as my main search utility. It's one of those mandatory tools in a well sorted software toolbox. It's VERY fast, has an easy interface, and/but has good usability.

windows already provide a good search engine. no need for this.

Does it search also for by "creation" date?
According to the pictures and their website it seems that it takes into account only the modified date.
When searching for documents and saved webpages could be helpful to be able to search for both dates.
(and order the results for either one)

@Dennis -- I've been looking for a Windows desktop search utility that indexes Outlook messages and retains that data even after the messages have been deleted. I use Google Desktop, but it's no longer being developed or supported so I'd like a replacement. But in the meantime it still works -- it's not a SaaS product. You can probably find a copy on the Web.

This is incredibly fast. The Windows 7 search takes an eternity to search directories with very many files or subdirectories. This takes almost zero time.

The overall layout is good; everything is clear and easy to find.

I am very pleased with this software. Thanks!

I'd like a decent search utility for searching inside files, since Microsoft really screwed up the Windows search function starting with Vista. But I don't want one that has to build and maintain its own disk index, so I don't think this is the one for me.

I'm glad to see a couple of people mention Everything, my favorite for file name search. It seems to be the only one that takes advantage of the built-in file name index in NTFS to do instant searches. Even Microsoft doesn't do that for some reason.

I have been using this software (Free Version).
Look at the comparison between Free and Pro.
http://www.filesearchy.com/features

Only 2 differences.
You can filter the Results by file category.
You can export results as CVS.

The Future features are scheduled for March 2014 and are not available yet:
Search contents of eBooks (EPUB, FB2, MOBI)
Image thumbnails
Favorite searches

In conclusion, you will get along very fine just using the Free Version of this software.

Take a look at a little known donationware. Named Argus Panoptes. Just Google for it.
This is a search software. It can do content search and you can see results in context.

For me, the best search utility regardless of price is Locate32. It is free. Even paid commercial software do not come close.

The Search utility built into Windows is pathetic. I do not use it. Worse than a limp rag.

@ Dennis:
No, it can't search in Outlook.

@ RichU:
You can search shared folders on multiple computers.
To do this, enter them in the field under "In directory" checkbox.
For example: \\computer1\\shared1;\\computer2\\shared2

Another vote here for Everything if all you need is filename search. Blindingly fast, does fuzzy searches reasonably well, does not need or build an index, NTFS drives only.

I recently installed this as a freebie. I was looking for a replacement for Search GT, which suddenly quit working. FileSearchy is very fast. HOWEVER, on my system, when I am through with a search and the application is sitting in the system tray, I get a pop-up message that says it is still running. Then it starts eating all the CPU. I have to shut it down after each search and that is very irritating.

As for searching for text, Agent Ransack/File Locator Pro is my darling. Nobody does it better or more thoroughly. It searches EVERYTHING, not just popular software. It even searches my information managers.

Does today's giveaway or any of these programs search across multiple computers?
Would be very helpful to search my notebook and desktop to see which computer has a certain document.
Thanks,

I use http://www.baremetalsoft.com/baregrep/ Baregrep. probably the best text & file searcher I have ever used. not even a mb in size and it is lightning fast.

Just as a matter of observation: There may not seem to be any indication that the application is doing anything (i.e. searching) but under the search button (which is located under the ‘Show advanced options’ box) there is a tiny progress bar which will eventually begin turning green depending on how big your disc is or if you are searching in contents as well.
This program works well for me.
Thanks

As told in this thread Agent Ransack (free) is king. Alternatively FileLocator (paid) from same vendor.

Can this software search in Outlook? If not are there other free alternatives that can?

GEEZZZ yesterday I was crying about a good search engin (SearchGT+) vanished into oblivion, and today GAOTD offers this search tool !!!
THANK YOU!!! :)

If you are using a non-English Windows, pre-installed folders like “Users”, “Music”, “Pictures” or “Downloads” have a different name in your language.

Nevertheless, FileSearchy - like all search tools I have tried so far - will only find them if you enter their English name. As they are not far away in the tree this is not a big issue, and there are no problems with their sub-folders or files.
This is probably due to the fact that Microsoft doesn’t translate Windows deep down, but only superficially.

With Windows XP. Installed and registered fine. I know I shouldn't use this site as a help forum but it has immediately started updating its index of all my hard drives which are very extensive using the default options and when I go to the options menu and un-tick all the Automatic functions and then un-tick some of the drives and hit OK it just puts the ticks back again ie options changes don't register. If I have to wait for it to finish indexing all my drives before I can change the options I am going to be hear till the next Ice age comes. So how can I stop it indexing long enough for me to change the options?

It's always amazed me to think people can remember file names and that file name searches can be useful for some. When I work on a translation, I usually leave the foreign-language file name in place and just add my initials to the translated version. The client can then conveniently save the translation next to the original. But who can remember foreign-language file names?
My guess is that most users search inside files for some term, e.g., "biotic," "stalactite," or whatever to get a list of files that can be read easily in a preview pane to find the right one.

I have used Copernic (Honourable Mention 1) successfully for years and will soon be adding it to my new Win 8.1 computer.
Incidentally, I'm using the free Atlantis Word Processor instead installing my ancient Word 2000 for my editing work (can't find the disk). It's almost identical to set up the toolbars and so far has worked with minimal adjustment and no problems.

Add searching for duplicate files.

When I first installed XP I realised that Microsoft had set a new standard on how NOT to write a search program.
So I wrote my own in my beloved Delphi; it allowed me to limit file names and directories searched, and if a context search to include and exclude whole words, it then allowed you to search within the results to further limit the number of files returned.

Until today I have found no search engine which does this in a satisfactory manner, at last a really decent search engine!
Only when under View the Search Pane was selected did the full potential of the program become obvious.

File Name
In Directory
The above allow you to limit where and what you are looking for by including and excluding and masking names.

In contents
A very versatile area in that you can include and exclude words, it allows three choices whole word, substring and lastly regular expressions.
The first in the above whole word is obviously the fastest and is all I used in my program, substring is useful but somewhat slower and, frankly something I will never use except as a last resort, is regular expressions as it can be extremely slow.
Because you can make a list in this area it means you can really narrow down to find exactly what you want, very much a plus in my book.

Once you get used to building your own search criteria, particularly if you use whole word, you will find a sensibly limited number of results and do it quickly.

A useful program included with this download is pdftotext.exe in the xpdf folder which is a stand-alone program, instructions on its use are included.
Regular expressions in Perl
http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/perl/regexp.html

This is by far the best search engine I have found, when writing my own I compared it with many others but found nothing to compare with the versatility and usefulness of this program.

I'd like suggest a very good free software, one of the fatest software to search a file in your system.
http://www.voidtools.com/

And don't forget these other two:
Everything
UltraSearch
Note that ultrasearch is an ad-supported app but, if you are an registered user of Treesize, the ads will disappear.

I'm not going to respond to the people who don't know how to search on Windows, particularly Windows 7, as I've given numerous tips over the years. GOTD has chosen to make it impossible to search GOTD (you used to be able to) and they have encouraged some psychotic loser to cyber-bully me over the years. The rest of you are too lazy to vote, which would nullify them. Windows doesn't fail to find things except due to user error and possibly due to the index needing to be rebuilt after a crash. Google searches Google Drive and Gmail completely differently from Windows. Maybe someday I'll give some tips. Chromebooks captured 21 percent of US notebook sales and 8 percent of the total PC and tablet market in 2013 (CNet). Soon, Chromebooks and Chromeboxes will run your Windows crapware and GOTD freebies through VMware Horizon™ DaaS® Platform for Service Providers which delivers Windows desktops and applications as a cloud service to any user, anywhere, on any device, and later through a ChromeOS app.

@ eddy:
Integration in Windows Explorer is not enabled by default.
To enable, please open Main menu > "Tools" > "Options" > "Integrate in a folder's context menu".

Installed without any issues and then activated by using activate program.
The Register shows that License type is Trial and 21 days left ?

I'm happy with it, seems way faster and slicker search than the installed on windows one .
@ Giovanni post 4 :
''Best of all it can integrate itself in Windows Explorer, thus allowing you to search through the contents of a folder by simply right-clicking on it,''

I'm not seeing that option on my windows 7
maybe need to reboot or something ?

I have been using Agent Ransack for years. On XP and 7. Works with 32 & 64 bit.
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack