As a creature of habit ... I am still using commercial "FileSearchEX".
- 99% of the time I am searching for contents
It operates independently of Windows indexing (... that is no loss) ...
- Windows indexing does not index everything, eg, system folder/files
- despite what "believers" say Windows indexing does affect performance.
"FileSearchEX" maintains its own database.
- based on the active folder/drive in the current WinExplorer/Xplorer2 window
- first search it builds the database for the active folder (or drive) only.
- subsequent searches (provided no changes to the folder (or drive)) are quicker than anything I have ever used
"FileSearchEX"
+ multiple instances
+ primary filter fields are adjacent ... one tab from "Name" to "Contents"
+ Search button caption = "Search"
+ two buttons on UI ... Search and Stop ... stop is disabled until search is begun
+ UI is very simple, filters layout very similar to XP windows search
– does not remember last Name search
– does not remember last contents search
– exact string contents search must be wrapped in quotes
XPlorer2 Search engine:
+ remembers last "Name" search ... 99% of my "Name" searches are for "*.txt"
+ remembers last contents search
+ checkbox to search for exact string
– too many windows
– primary filter fields are 4 tabs apart .. four tabs from "Name" to "Contents"
– Search button caption = "OK" ... a bit vague
– four buttons on the UI
– UI is too busy for my liking.
When "deskrule" is more developed I will give it a go ... mean while I will remain subscribed to this thread
