About Everything
Everything is a file search tool from voidtools. It builds an index of file and folder names, then scrolls the results through as you type. You can get back to a document when you recall only part of its name, without opening each directory one by one. In the category utilities for Windows, it helps computers that pile up projects, downloads or archives across several locations. Its principle stands apart from a search aimed at the text inside the documents.
The verified stable version is 1.4.1.1032. The site distributes a 1.5 beta branch separately, which must not be confused with this stable release. Everything comes as an installer and as a portable archive, in several architectures. Reading the indexes of compatible volumes may call for the Everything service or suitable rights. Folders added by another means do not necessarily follow the same update mechanism. The program is free, but the results always call for interpretation: finding a name proves neither that the file holds the content you want nor that you are allowed to open it. Filters and paths serve to tighten the search step by step.
Begin with a few words of the name
The most direct search is to type a fragment of the name you want. Then look at the path, the extension and the other columns to tell neighbouring files apart. An invoice saved more than once can show up in downloads, in a working folder and in an archive. The name alone is not enough to settle on the right copy. Add a term, restrict the file type or glance at the date as needed. You can open the folder that hosts the result to grasp its context. This approach is often better than moving a file straight away when its role is not yet confirmed.
Grasp what is actually indexed
Everything is known first for searching names and paths. Indexing compatible volumes lets you track changes quickly, but the locations covered depend on your configuration. A missing disk, an excluded folder or an unconfigured share may never surface in the results. So check the scope before concluding that a file has vanished. Content search is a separate operation and does not benefit from the same name index. For a mass of documents, first narrow the list by name, extension or path, then examine their content in the suitable application.
Settle on the right service and rights
The installer offers a configuration that lets the Everything service obtain the information needed for indexing. This keeps technical access to the index from being confused with your user rights on each document. Spotting a file in the results does not mean you can read its content. On a managed workstation, settle the configuration with the person in charge of the system. The portable archive can help in some cases without removing the need for rights tied to the volumes examined. After the first opening, make sure the expected disks appear and that new files show up in your results.
Sharpen queries without overloading them
Filters, operators and regular expressions help build finer searches. Start from a simple query whose result you understand, then add one criterion at a time. This gradual progress makes mistakes easier to spot, especially when a character carries a particular meaning. For a recurring task, keep a search that combines a folder with an extension rather than retyping a long expression. Check the active match options, such as case or path, because they bend the result. A short, explainable query is reused more easily than a complicated expression copied without gauging its limits.
Find a file without rearranging everything
Everything can make an old folder tree easier to reach, but it does not replace an organisation of the important documents. Once you find a copy, check its content before renaming or moving it. Some applications' projects hold references to other files tied to their location. A move launched from a search result can therefore have effects beyond the visible document. For archives, keep a naming convention and an independent backup. The tool is for locating and moving around; it does not decide on its own which copy is the reference or which file may go.
Place it among the catalogue's tools
Total Commander adds two-panel file management, handy for copying, comparing and tidying folders after a search. Everything favours quick access by name across the indexed locations. 7-Zip is mainly for opening and creating archives, while Notepad++ can inspect text files and their content. These tools complement one another without answering the same question. Reach for Everything when you roughly know what a file is called; then choose the suitable application to read or edit it. A search result is not an analysis of the format, quality or relevance of the document found.
Key features
- Immediate search through the indexed names
- Display of the files and folders that match
- Filters to target file types
- Search on name as well as path
- Regular expressions for advanced queries
- Installer and portable archive supplied officially
- Tracking of changes on compatible volumes
- Opening the folder that holds the result
System requirements
Windows; x86 and x64 installers available; memory and disk requirements vary depending on the indexed volume, minimum not confirmed.
How to install
- Choose Everything 1.4.1.1032 and the appropriate architecture on voidtools.
- Launch the installer, choose the language and accept the license.
- Review the service and startup options offered, and then complete the installation.
- Open Everything, let the initial index build, and search for a known file.
