Finding files and folders

I keep my computer fairly well organised, but it's amazing how often I forget where I have put a particular file or folder. Mostly I go to the Copernic Desktop Search tool, which can search inside documents for text strings - an invaluable aid. But Copernic does have its limitations, in particular it doesn't use wildcard characters in searches, which makes life difficult if you can't remember the exact wording or title you are looking for. Which is where the Everything utility can step up. Everything is a free search tool that specialises in finding files in a hurry. After spending a while first time up indexing all your drives, it can show every file and folder on your system. Just type in the file you’re looking for in the search box and results are displayed as you type them. You can use wildcard characters and can easily sort results by Name, Size, Date Modified etc. When you click on a file in the results window it will open with its associated application and folders will open up in Windows Explorer. It also supports boolean operators in searches.

Finding stuff on your computer

I'm sure it's happened to you. You just know you have a document or file somewhere on your computer, but can't remember where you put it. You can try using Windows Search, but never was a search tool so badly constructed, plus it's slower than treacle in a snowstorm. Google desktop search is better, but can slow your system down terribly, and is highly invasive. Like, just where are they sending all that info gathered from the depths of your computer? Enter, riding to the rescue, Copernic Desktop Search. It's brilliant, it's fast, and I could not live without it. Even better, it's free. Get it here.