[jr2]

Just use this tool:

Everything

http://www.voidtools.com/download.php

Yes, it's safe:

here's some for you:

http://www.download.com/windows/search-tools/3150-2379_4-0-1.html?tag=page;page

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-4-ways-to-find-that-elusive-file/

EDIT: Do you guys trust download.com and / or makeuseof.com ?

EDIT2: VirusTotal results

EDIT3: Detailed analysis of actions:
Comodo Instant Malware Analysis

EDIT4: Feel free to use more; I've done enough here:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/05/28/battle-of-the-6-online-malware-file-scanners/

FAQ:

1 Everything

1.1 What is "Everything"?

"Everything" is an administrative tool that locates files and folders by filename instantly for Windows.
Unlike Windows search "Everything" initially displays every file and folder on your computer (hence the name "Everything").
You type in a search filter to limit what files and folders are displayed.

1.2 How long will it take to index my files?

"Everything" only uses file and folder names and generally takes a few seconds to build its database.
A fresh install of Windows XP SP2 (about 20,000 files) will take about 1 second to index.
1,000,000 files will take about 1 minute.

1.3 Does Everything search file contents?

No, "Everything" does not search file contents, only file and folder names.

1.4 Does "Everything" hog my system resources?

No, "Everything" uses very little system resources.
A fresh install of Windows XP SP2 (about 20,000 files) will use about 3-5mb of ram and less than 1mb of disk space.
1,000,000 files will use about 45mb of ram and 5mb of disk space.

1.5 Does "Everything" monitor file system changes?

Yes, "Everything" does monitor file system changes.
Your search windows will reflect changes made to the file system.

1.6 Is "Everything" free?

Yes, "Everything" is Freeware.
If you use "Everything" in a commercial environment and find it useful a donation would be appreciated.

1.7 Does "Everything" miss changes made to the file system if it is not running?

No, "Everything" can be closed and restarted without missing changes made to the file system (even across system restarts).
"Everything" updates the database when it is started.

1.8 What are the system requirements for "Everything"?

"Everything" will run on Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista.
"Everything" will only locate files and folders on local NTFS volumes.
"Everything" requires administrative privileges for low level read access to volumes.

1.9 How do I convert a volume to NTFS?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881

1.10 Can "Everything" index a mapped network drive?

No, "Everything" only indexes local or removable NTFS volumes.

To search a networked computer you will need to run Everything on both computers.
One computer will need to Start an ETP server.
The other computer will need to connect to that ETP server.

To start an ETP server:
1. In Everything, On the Tools menu, click Start ETP server.

To connect to an ETP server:
1. In Everything, On the Tools menu, click Connect to ETP Server....
2. Type in the ETP server name.
3. Type in the ETP server port.
4. Type in the ETP server user.
5. Type in the ETP server password.
6. Click OK.

1.11 How do I install the language pack?

Download the language pack Everything.lng.zip
Unzip the language pack into the folder where "Everything" is installed.
Restart Everything.
In "Everything", On the Tools menu, click Options.
Click the General tab.
Select your language from the Language dropdown list.
Click OK.
In the "language change" popup, Click OK.
Restart Everything.

1.12 How do I bypass the UAC to run "Everything" with administrative privileges on system startup?

Disable run on system startup in "Everything".
Follow the Make Vista launch UAC restricted programs at startup with Task Scheduler guide at
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=616
Make sure you use -startup in the Add Arguments box

1.13 How do I bypass the UAC to run "Everything" with administrative privileges when I start it from a shortcut ?

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=730

2 Searching

2.1 How do I search for a file or folder?

Type the partial file or folder name into the search edit, the results will appear instantly.

2.2 How do I use boolean operators?

AND is the default boolean operator.
For example, here is how to search for foo and bar: foo bar
To search for either of two search terms, add a | between the terms.
For example, here is how to search for .jpg or .bmp: .jpg | .bmp
To exclude something from the search include a ! at the front of the term.
For example, here is how to search for abc and not 123: abc !123

2.3 How do I use wildcards?

Using a * in your search will match any number of any type of character.
For example, here is how to search for files and folders that start with e and end with g: e*g
Using a ? in your search will match one character.
For example, here is how to search for files that have a 2 letter file extension: *.??

2.4 How do I use regex?

|   A vertical bar separates alternatives. For example, gray|grey can match "gray" or "grey".
()   Parentheses are used to define the scope and precedence of the operators (among other uses). For example, gray|grey and gr(a|e)y are equivalent patterns which both describe the set of "gray" and "grey".
?   The question mark indicates there is zero or one of the preceding element. For example, colou?r matches both "color" and "colour".
*   The asterisk indicates there are zero or more of the preceding element. For example, ab*c matches "ac", "abc", "abbc", "abbbc", and so on.
+   The plus sign indicates that there is one or more of the preceding element. For example, ab+c matches "abc", "abbc", "abbbc", and so on, but not "ac".
.   Matches any single character except newlines (exactly which characters are considered newlines is flavor, character encoding, and platform specific, but it is safe to assume that the line feed character is included). Within POSIX bracket expressions, the dot character matches a literal dot. For example, a.c matches "abc", etc., but [a.c] matches only "a", ".", or "c".
[ ]   A bracket expression. Matches a single character that is contained within the brackets. For example, [abc] matches "a", "b", or "c". [a-z] specifies a range which matches any lowercase letter from "a" to "z". These forms can be mixed: [abcx-z] matches "a", "b", "c", "x", "y", and "z", as does [a-cx-z]
[^ ]   Matches a single character that is not contained within the brackets. For example, [^abc] matches any character other than "a", "b", or "c". [^a-z] matches any single character that is not a lowercase letter from "a" to "z". As above, literal characters and ranges can be mixed.
^   Matches the starting position within the string. In line-based tools, it matches the starting position of any line.
$   Matches the ending position of the string or the position just before a string-ending newline. In line-based tools, it matches the ending position of any line.
{m,n}   Matches the preceding element at least m and not more than n times. For example, a{3,5} matches only "aaa", "aaaa", and "aaaaa". This is not found in a few, older instances of regular expressions.

2.5 How do I include spaces in my search?

To include spaces in your search enclose your search in double quotes.
For example, here is how to search for foo<space>bar: "foo bar"

2.6 How do I search for a file type?

To search for a file type, type the file extension into the search edit,
ie to search for the mp3 file type, type *.mp3 into the search edit.
To search for more than one type of file type use a | to separate file types,
ie *.bmp|*.jpg will search for files with the extension bmp or jpg.

2.7 How do I search for files and folders in a specific location?

To search for files and folders in a specific location include a \ in your search string.
For example, here is how to search for all your avis in a downloads folder: downloads\ .avi
You could alternately enable Match Path in the Search menu and include the location in your search string.
For example, here is how to search for all your avis in a downloads folder with Match Path enabled: downloads .avi

3 Results

3.1 How do I jump to a file or folder in the result list?

Make sure the result list has focus by tabbing to it with the keyboard or clicking in it with the mouse.
Type in the partial or full name of the file or folder you want to jump to.
For example, to jump to files or folders begining with "New" type New into the result list.

4 HTTP server

4.1 How can I customize my database for sharing over a HTTP server?

See http://support.voidtools.com/everything/Multiple_instances for more information.

5 Customizing

5.1 How can I change the "Everything" icon?

Requires "Everything" 1.2.0 beta or later.
Copy your icon file into "Everything"'s installation folder and rename it to "Everything.ico".
Restart "Everything".

5.2 How can I set "Everything" to use an external file manager?

Requires "Everything" 1.2.0 beta or later.
Exit Everything.
Open Everything.ini in "Everything"'s installation folder.
Add the following 2 lines to the bottom of the ini:
open_folder_command=$exec("ExternalFileManager.exe" "%1")
open_folder_path_command=$exec("ExternalFileManager.exe" "$parent(%1)")
Replace the text ExternalFileManager.exe with the full path and file name of your file manager executable.
Check your external file manager help for any required command line parameters.
Restart "Everything".

6 Troubleshooting

6.1 Everything requests for administrator privileges in Windows Vista SP1

"Everything" requires administrator privileges because it needs raw read access to your hard drives.
Click accept to allow "Everything" to continue running.

6.2 The result list is empty

Make sure you have atleast one local NTFS volume.
See How do I convert a volume to NTFS.

Make sure "Everything" has administrator privileges.

To manually enable all local NTFS volumes for indexing:
1. In Everything, On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the Volumes tab.
3. For each volume in the Local NTFS volumes list:
4. Check Check Media.
5. Check Enable USN Journal logging.
6. Check Include in database.
7. Check Monitor changes.
8. Repeat for each volume.
9. Click OK.

6.3 Right clicking on a file or folder crashes

Please replace your Everything.exe with the following beta to workaround the problem:
http://www.voidtools.com/Everything-1.2.1.375b.zip.

[Galemp]

Windows Indexing Service does this, as does Google Desktop. Granted, this appears superior at first glance... but I would like someone else to vouch for this app's safety and effectiveness before I give it administrative rights over my HDD.

[The E]

Agreed. Any application demanding to be run as admin for a service that can be executed just as well from within userspace is somewhat suspect. If it duplicates a built-in function I am happy with (on the few occasions I had to use it), there's quite literally no chance in Hell I'm going to let it near my OS.

[jr2]

here's some for you:

http://www.download.com/windows/search-tools/3150-2379_4-0-1.html?tag=page;page

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-4-ways-to-find-that-elusive-file/

EDIT: Do you guys trust download.com and / or makeuseof.com ?

EDIT2: VirusTotal results

EDIT3: Detailed analysis of actions:
Comodo Instant Malware Analysis

EDIT4: Feel free to use more; I've done enough here:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/05/28/battle-of-the-6-online-malware-file-scanners/

[The E]

Yeah, sorry, still not sold. I quite like 7's built-in search, as I said.

[jr2]

How long does it take you to find uxtheme.dll in Windows 7 search?

I know how long it takes in Everything.

As long as it takes for me to type

Code: [Select]

uxtheme.dll

[Ghostavo]

Erm... Windows 7 Search finds it instantly after you type it too.

[The E]

How long does it take you to find uxtheme.dll in Windows 7 search?

I know how long it takes in Everything.

As long as it takes for me to type

Code: [Select]

uxtheme.dll

....I am actually enough of a geek to know where that file is without using a search tool. Which goes for most files on this computer. Which is why I have limited use for this sort of utility. The only times I have to use the windows search is when I am either really stumped, or need to look up a phrase in a folder full of text documents.

[jr2]

Ah, I see... sorry.  uxtheme.dll and 2 other files can be replaced with patched versions in Windows 7 to allow non-M$-signed themes to work on the computer. 

Yeah if you just search your documents and stuff I suppose windoze search works just fine.

[Nuke]

i never need to search my hard drive because i set up the hierarchy in the file system and i know where every file is. this kinda tool is for people who trust windows or other software to organize files for them. why anyone would do that is beyond me.

[Admiral LSD]

Spotlight in OS X used to be good for this as well, until Apple gimped it in Leopard. It used to search System and Library folders, but now it seems to only search your document and Applications folders. The latter is actually quite neat, and why I don't hate on Leopard's Spotlight too much. Due to space limitations, I don't keep every program I use on either the Dock or the desktop which, proper to Leopard, meant trawling through the Applications folder to find whatever it was I was looking for. In Leo, you simply hit Command+Space to bring up the Spotlight search box, type a few letters of the programs name and it'll pop up in the search results allowing to find and start it easily.

[mxlm]

How long does it take you to find uxtheme.dll in Windows 7 search?

Less than half a second.

[asyikarea51]

I never really got around to the desktop search thing that made its appearance with XP SP3 (or was it before, but irrelevant, meh)... typing stuff on it to find things didn't seem to work and I can't be bothered to see if the service is even on or off.

I miss the old simple search with those animated avatars. Yes fine the search is slow but at least it wasn't broke or whatever...

[haloboy100]

How long does it take you to find uxtheme.dll in Windows 7 search?

Less than half a second.

I pasted it into my search and found it before my fingers lifted off the control and V buttons.

[Flipside]

Proboably wasn't the best example, since Windows starts searching at the System fodlers

I use search quite a lot, because I have hundreds of VST patches, in various folders, and it's not always possible to remember where every sound patch is (there's 20000+ of them), however, as useful as this appears, most VST applications have built-in systems for identifying files

[jr2]

Proboably wasn't the best example, since Windows starts searching at the System fodlers

I use search quite a lot, because I have hundreds of VST patches, in various folders, and it's not always possible to remember where every sound patch is (there's 20000+ of them), however, as useful as this appears, most VST applications have built-in systems for identifying files

I thought by default it left hidden and system folders out of the equation.  OFC I always turn that option on.  Hmm.  Well, the only real comparison is to search for various files using both search engines and compare results.