Windows 7 Search: Get a Fast, XP-Style Search

Improving File Search Speed in Windows 7

Many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the changes made to the search functionality in Windows 7. Features previously available in older versions have been relocated or removed, and the search process can often be slow, particularly when dealing with a large number of files.

It is possible to optimize the Windows 7 search utility for improved speed. Alternatively, the built-in search tool can be disabled entirely, allowing the use of a third-party application like Everything for file searching. We've identified another utility, FileSearchEX, which offers a rapid, straightforward search interface reminiscent of Windows XP, while maintaining minimal system resource usage.

Installing FileSearchEX

Unlike typical software installations, FileSearchEX does not require a standard installation procedure and does not necessitate administrative privileges to operate.

To install, simply extract the contents of the downloaded file (available via the link at the end of this article) and copy the FileSearchEX.exe file.

Paste the FileSearchEX.exe file into the %WINDIR% folder, which is usually located at C:\Windows. Following this, two installation methods are available.

If you prefer not to modify the system registry, the simpler method involves simply double-clicking the FileSearchEX.exe file to launch it.

Within the main FileSearchEX window, select "Install" from the "View" menu.

On the "Install Options" dialog box, enable the "Enable folder right click menu" option to integrate FileSearchEX into the right-click context menu. You can also customize the menu option's name in the provided edit box. To remove FileSearchEX later, select the "Remove folder right click menu (uninstaller)" option.

The program will automatically implement the necessary system changes to ensure FileSearchEX functions correctly.

Close FileSearchEX by selecting "Close" from the "File" menu. The program's interface will automatically appear when you choose the "Search via FileSearchEX" option from the right-click menu.

Alternative Installation Method

Alternatively, double-click the "Advanced Manual Install.reg" file included within the downloaded .zip archive. Confirm the prompts in the subsequent dialog boxes.

Using FileSearchEX

To initiate a search using FileSearchEX, right-click on a local drive, network drive, library, or folder and select "Search via FileSearchEX" (or your customized name) from the context menu.

The FileSearchEX main window will appear, displaying the selected drive or folder in the "Look in" edit box. To search for files or folders by name, enter your search term in the "Search for files or folders named" edit box. To search for text *within* files, enter your desired text in the "Containing text" edit box instead. Click "Search" to begin.

The "Stop" button will flash red during the search process. Clicking it will cancel the operation.

Search results are displayed in the right pane, showing the file name, folder location, size, and type by default.

Filtering Search Results

To filter results by date, select the "Date" check box. Options for specifying date parameters will then become available. You can search based on "Modified," "Created," or "Last Accessed" dates, and specify a range in months, days, or a specific date range.

If you know the approximate file size, you can filter by that as well. Select the "Size" check box and choose "At Least" or "At Most," then enter the size in KB.

Additional filtering options are available under the "Advanced Options" check box, allowing you to specify directories to include or exclude, case sensitivity, and string modification settings.

Customizing the Display

FileSearchEX allows you to customize the details displayed for each search result. To modify these settings, select "Choose Details" from the "View" menu.

On the "Choose Details" dialog box, select the check boxes in the "Available fields" box to enable or disable columns in the results pane. You can also specify the sorting column and direction using the drop-down lists. Adjust the column width using the "Width of selected column (in pixels)" edit box.

General Settings

You can adjust general program settings by selecting "Settings" from the "View" menu. These settings include options to skip drives during searches and control how searches of "My Computer" are performed. When searching inside files, you can specify which file extensions to include by entering them separated by vertical bars in the edit box.

Basic file operations can be performed directly from FileSearchEX without returning to Windows Explorer. For example, to view a file's properties, select it in the right pane and choose "Properties" from the "File" menu.

The "Edit" menu provides options for cutting, copying, selecting all files, and clearing selections. These actions can also be accessed via the right-click context menu.

FileSearchEX is capable of handling a large number of search results and is also compatible with Windows XP and Vista.

Download FileSearchEX from goffconcepts.com.