Is there an application which can find files just as well as Index Services can?

[NewsAndHistory]

Please list or name the best application (for Windows XP) with the same (if not more) capabilities of Index Services?

I want to remove Index Services because it's a resource hog, but I need to replace with it with an application, which can do exactly what Indexing Service does.

Indexing Service
Default Description:

Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.
Additional Information:

This service always has been a major resource hog. I never recommend having this service enabled. [...] You may feel, as I do, that this is unacceptable. If your computer suddenly seems "sluggish," Indexing Service is usually the cause of it.

As a side note, I "rarely" actually use the search function of Windows, so if that is an important feature for you, Indexing service will be valuable to you. It, however, for me is useless as I might search for a file name once a week, if that.

[IH8U]

Most search tools are somewhat of resource hogs. The most well known replacement are Windows Desktop Search, Google Desktop Search and Copernic Desktop Search.

[couttsj]

I got so disgusted with the inaccuracy of the Microsoft internal search engine that I now use Agent Ransack. For further info see:

http://bbs.blackviper.com/index.php/topic,1466.msg8625.html#msg8625

Microsoft wants to hide certain files and extend searches beyond just the hard disk. That really didn't fit my needs.

J.A. Coutts

[NewsAndHistory]

I know what you mean, Couttsj. I appreciate your help & time. Thanks for your message.

Most search tools are somewhat of resource hogs. The most well known replacement are Windows Desktop Search, Google Desktop Search and Copernic Desktop Search.

Thanks for your help & kindness. I appreciate your advice & those recommended programs.

[DJanda]

Use grep

[Black Viper]

Use grep

Haha!

[NewsAndHistory]

Grep seems to be well-featured. Thanks for making this website.

Use grep

Thanks for helping me, DJanda! I appreciate your time & advice.

[DJanda]

Grep seems to be well-featured. Thanks for making this website.

Thanks for helping me, DJanda! I appreciate your time & advice.

Well...  Thanks, but this was meant at least partly as a joke. I am not sure of the grep for windows (i.e. http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/downlinks/grep.php ) as I have not used it yet. Also, you will need to remember that this utility has been around since the creation of Unix (i.e. almost the beginning of time -- modern computer-wise). It has been constantly ported to many other platforms because of its tremendous power. However, said 'power' comes at a price. The price being, that to get the most out of grep and other Unix utilities (regardless of the operating system ported to), you will need to master regular expressions, these can be a real bear. Often, even experienced users end up not performing the operation they thought they requested. You should read: http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/install.html. Yes, its full featured, but beware...

[NewsAndHistory]

Joking aside, I understand what you mean. I'm looking forward to learning more about programs, which are easier to operate. I appreciate your help, as usual.

[OldMalden]

I have had much luck with "Everything" from voidtools http://www.voidtools.com/ - and it's free!!

The only proviso is that you must be using NTFS: "Everything" only indexes local or removable NTFS volumes.

I have a large  number of files on my 1.5TB eSata external drive and it indexes it in about 30 seconds.

It takes a lot to impress me - and this does!

OldMalden

[NewsAndHistory]

Thanks OldMaiden! I appreciate your help & kindness.