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Can you recommend any Windows search utilities?

Oct 11, 2004 10:11 AM
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update Copernic is great so far. I love the intuitive UI and the find-as-you-type feature. And it's free. I definitely recommend it.

update I'm going with Copernic Desktop Search, for now.

This one's for the Windows geeks only ...

Does anyone have any recommendations about file-searching utilities for windows, i.e. ones that tell me all the files that contain a particular string and/or regexp?

Do you just use that built-in Search > For Files or Folders thing?

Or are there good third-party ones out there?

I'm familiar with grep, and plan on installing Cygwin, but I wanted to know if there are any native apps that are popular with Windows devs.

You know, "When in Rome ..."

(cross-posted to JoS)


Comments: Can you recommend any Windows search utilities?

You gotta checkout Copernic Desktop Search from http://www.copernic.com/

It indexes files and folders, outlook contacts, photos, mp3s. Searching is instantaneous.

Thomas

Posted by: Thomas Stache on October 11, 2004 11:01 AM | permalink

I mostly use the Windows search util... To find a string contained in a file, fill out the "containing text" field. If using Windows XP, you might have to use Windows 2000 mode instead of "moron" mode to see that option, I forget.

I also use the "find in files" util in Microsoft Visual Studio. But from the sound of it, you probably aren't using that.

Posted by: O'dell on October 11, 2004 11:08 AM | permalink

How about a native version of grep? Like the one that comes with cygwin but it doesn't require cygwin.

http://unxutils.sourceforge.net/

Posted by: Nate Silva on October 11, 2004 12:25 PM | permalink

Just in time for you:

http://desktop.google.com

Posted by: Doug on October 15, 2004 9:28 AM | permalink

Doug:

The thing is, whenever possible, I don't use IE.

The Google FAQ and screenshots are unclear on how compatible it is with other browsers (or perhaps I overlooked this).

The only mention I see is this one: http://desktop.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=10135

I'll download and give it a shot, though.

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on October 15, 2004 9:59 AM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.