Currently computers increasingly have faster and larger capacity hard drives that help us to store all kinds of files (audio, images, videos, documents, etc.) in one place.
Many times, finding a file can be a laborious task that can make us waste too much time. In order to find them, we usually resort to the Windows file explorer, although it is not very practical given its slowness in carrying out the task.
For this reason, today we are going to talk about Everything , a powerful file search for Windows with which there will be nothing that escapes us.
What is it and what is it for?
Everything is a file search for Windows created by Voidtools with which we can find any file that is hosted on our hard drive quickly and efficiently. With this simple tool we can filter all the results obtained and update in real time all the changes made in the Windows file system. In addition, it includes an HTTP server that will allow us to perform remote searches with any device on the network.
Among its main advantages it stands out for being a free application with a very simple and intuitive use, as well as light, as it hardly weighs just over 1 MB . We will obtain searches almost in real time, with little delay, allowing you to save your searches as favorites, to always have them available at any time. To do this, it uses a metadata file in the NTFS Master File Table that guarantees an almost immediate response speed.
Using Everything
When you run Everything for the first time, the program will create an index of all local volumes that are in NTFS format. Next, it will start with the indexing of the computer content, so that, when we do a search, we will only have to consult the index, so that the searches will be carried out more quickly. Once the indexing is finished, the application will show us all the files and folders.
To carry out a search, all you have to do is enter a name in the edit box and press Enter to confirm. Everything will perform a quick search that will show the results almost instantly . For example, we can search for files in JPG format, for which we must put in the JPG box, and the program will show us all the files with that extension, as well as the folder where each one is stored, the file size and the date of its last modification.
At the top, organized by tabs , we find the different sections of the program such as: File, Edition, View, Search, Bookmarks, Tools and Help. The most interesting menus are:
Search
In the Search menu located at the top we can find predefined searches for a specific type of files (Audio, Compressed, Documents, Executables, Folders, Images and Videos) or for matches (Lyrics, Full Word, Location and Diacritics). We can also add search filters from the option Add Filters …
Markers
Right next to the Search menu, we will have the Bookmarks tab, where we can save both the current search, as well as the filters, the order and the index. To create a new bookmark from the course search, you just have to follow the path: Everything> Bookmarks> Add to Bookmarks> enter a Name> click OK. Bookmarks can also be organized from the Organize Bookmarks function.
Tools
From the Tools menu we can configure the start search, which is the search that appears by default when we open the Everything search window. To change the configuration, we must follow the path Everything> Tools> Options> Start. Here we will set the desired search, search options, view options and order type. Finally, we confirm the operation by clicking OK.
Keyboard shortcuts for Everything
Everything supports a series of commands with which we can perform actions more directly. These are his most important keyboard shortcuts :
- F2: rename the focused element.
- Delete: move the selected items to the recycle bin.
- Shif + Delete: Permanently delete the selected items.
- Left Arrow: move to the left.
- Right Arrow: move to the right.
- Ctrl + Left Arrow: Move to the left of a page.
- Ctrl + Right Arrow: Move to the right of a page.
- Enter: Open the selected items.
- Ctrl + Enter: Open the location of a selected item.
- Alt + Enter: Shows the properties of a selected element.
- Ctrl + +: Auto adjusts the width of the columns.
- Space: Select the focused element.
- Ctrl + Space: toggles the selection of elements.
- Escape: cancel any running action.
- Ctrl + A: Select all the elements.
- Ctrl + C: Copy the selected items.
- Ctrl + E: Read the file size, date and attributes of the current selection.
- Ctrl + V: Paste the items from the clipboard to the selected folder.
- Ctrl + X: Cuts selected items.
- Shift + F10: displays the context menu of the selected item.
Download Everything
As we have mentioned, Everything is a completely free tool that is available for Windows in a 32 and 64 bit version, as well as a portable or desktop version. You can download it quickly from its website . Currently the latest version available is 1.4.1.969.
Alternatives to Everything
As alternatives to Everything we can mention other applications that perform the file search function.
- Windows Explorer : it is integrated into the operating system, and it can also be used to search for files, although its use may be impractical given its slowness when searching.
- Ava Find – This file finder application is Freeware licensed, making it completely free. We can download it from here .
- Copernic Desktop Search : This software will allow us to find any file, email, image or multimedia file that is on our computer. We can get it from $ 14.99 a year. It also has a 30-day free trial version that we can download from this link .
- SearchMyFiles : is a light program with advanced search functions for all types of files, which does not require installation. It is a free application that we can download from its website .