Search Files in Windows Faster with Super Finder
Posted on April 6, 2008 at 5:09 am
Sick of the slow file search built into Windows? Microsoft Windows may be the most popular operating system in the world but the built-in search function is nothing to be proud of. While offering a simple yet practical interface, the search function can be very slow in returning search results, especially if you are searching the entire hard disk for one file.
That is why some inventive minds out there created alternative, Windows-based desktop search tools - to help you search for files faster. A good freeware example that belongs to this category is Super Finder.
Super Finder is a powerful replacement for the Windows XP text search / built in tool. It helps you to search files, folders and data easily and efficiently. The interface is pretty easy to use and it has three major sections: the search parameter, quick action buttons and the results pane. If you know how to use Windows search, then Super Finder will not pose any trouble to you.
Super Finder Features
- Simple, Windows-based search layout.
- Faster search speed compared to the default Windows search.
- Special search functions - for example, you can instruct Super Finder to search only files, folders or both with just a simple click.
- True text search - easily search for words or phrases inside text files.
- The ability to search for Unicode or hexadecimals inside text files.
- Full wildcard support - you can use your usual * or ? wildcard. For example, you can search for words like calm or palm with the ?alm wildcard search.
- “Smart Search” - if you are not familiar with wildcards, select this option before performing any search actions. Super Finder will try to search files / folders with similar names as entered texts.
- Exclusion list support - exclude file extensions, full name or partial name from your search results.
- Limit search results based file creation, modification or last accessed date.
- Limit search results based on file attributes - archive, system, read-only or hidden.
- Limit search results based on minimum or maximum size of files.
- Select a specific folder / drive to search for more spot-on search results.
- Remember last search settings (optional).
- Right click context menu integration - instantly search folders and drives via a right click.
- Supports activation via search key on a multimedia keyboard.
- Drag and drop / copy found files.
- Perform Explorer-like context menu actions directly on search results.
- One-click button for file/folders actions such as delete, explore, open, copy, properties and rename.
- Character set support for search terms based on non-Latin languages.
- “Use Thread” function allows you to increase or reduce Super Finder’s CPU usage. Tweak this option to increase the speed of search files operation.
For better understanding on how to use Super Finder, I suggest that you take a peek at the search examples provided in its manual. With simple usage plus extensive search parameters, Super Finder is a fitting alternative to the aging and snail-speed Windows built-in search. Try Super Finder today!
This is a guest post by Syahid A. from TechMalaya.com
Tags: super finder, search files, search files faster, search tool
» Filed Under Free Software Downloads
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MS has brought out a new utility to search files in Vista, which can be used in Windows XP too - this is very fast especially after it finishes the indexing. Check out Windows 4.0 Search Preview here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940157
if you use this search alternative on windows, you will be better off turning off the “allow indexing services to index this disk for fast file searching” on your hard drive.I have noticed this slow down your system very greatly.
I’ve been using Locate32 for the past 3 months and can attest it is extremely fast for file searches. For finding content within files & emails, I use Copernic. Both programs are free.
Gururaj, I’ve heard about Windows 4.0 search, but hadn’t gotten a chance to try it out! Thanks for the info.
Nelson, good point. Window Indexing service does slow down the system significantly. I’ve had it turned off for a long time now since I use Google Desktop.
DoneThat2, haven’t heard of Locate32, will try that out also. Copernic is fast, but for some reason it does not index certain types of files which Google Desktop does.