The standard Windows search is usually sufficient for most search related tasks even though it is not the fastest nor a feature rich desktop search software. Instead of using Windows search users can install third party search tools that promise better performance and functionality.
We have reviewed our fair share of desktop search tools in the past from Everything and Index Your Files to the desktop search tool Puggle and Doc Fetcher.
Agent Ransack is another search software for the Windows operating system that is provided as a 32-bit and 64-bit version. Unlike most of the other tools it does not need to index files prior to running searches. That’s good for the application’s resource footprint but means that the search speed is lower than those of search engines that make use of indexing.
Searches can be started right after installing the program. Filters aid the user in finding files faster on the computer system. It is for instance possible to search for a filename, specify directories, minimum and maximum sizes as well as dates (modified, created, last accessed).
The search tool supports regular expressions and can search the contents of supported files as well which takes longer than just searching for file names. Agent Ransack can search all file types, even binary files, for relevant text entered in the search form by the user of the application. Adobe PDF, Microsoft Office (including Office 2007) and OpenOffice documents are specifically supported by the search software.
A regular expression tester is included in the application to aid inexperienced users with the configuration of their searches that make use of regular expressions.
Agent Ransack is an interesting alternative to the desktop search tools mentioned above. Its file search is relatively fast as long as it is not searching for text in the file’s contents. It is recommended to limit the directory as narrow as possible to speed up the search processing.
The software program is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It can be downloaded from the developer’s homepage over at Mythicsoft.
Related Articles:
Portable Desktop Search Software TheSearchManDesktop Search Tool Puggle
Everything Is A Rather Unusual Desktop Search Tool
SearchMyFiles, A Versatile Desktop Search for Windows
NZBGrab, Desktop Search For Usenet NZBs
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Because searching for text is why I needed this kind of software, I tested all of them for this one ability. If not ALL, then 90%. Their text searches were terribly disappointing. Yes, you’re right, they were faster than Ransack (Newer Pro version is called FileLocator Pro). They were faster because they search only a few files, those with the most well-known extensions. You know, like, .doc. Agent Ransack searches EVERYTHING. Not counting Word, which I never open, I use 4 different word processors and 8 info managers. Naturally it takes Mythicsoft’s little gem a bit longer than other similar applications, but it comes up with what I’m looking for – every time. The other searchers best answer was always: “Not Found”.
My favourite search tool is Lookeen.
It finds everything you are looking for in your pc.It is an Add-In application for Microsoft
Outlook 2003, 2007 and 2010. Lookeen searches in local folder or network directories, you can search in your e-mails – also Word, PDF, Excel, and even image files…
www.lookeen.net
Try MultiFind Pro:
http://blogorama.eisbrecher.net/2010/02/28/multifind-pro-finden-statt-suchen/
A very fine search tool with tabbed searching!