Vista search is horrid, need an alternative

[Think]

I was comfortable with xp search functions - with a simple click here and there I can choose where I wanted to look and what I wanted to look for - but with Vista, it's incredible task consuming to try and find what you want.

I purchase a small 2 bay hot swappable business server ( $400 ) and I'm going to put all my pictures, music etc and that unit. The problem I'm having is that I have several harddrives that I have to search through to find all those pictures, videos and documents but Vista is rediculous.

I've tried Copernic and I don't like it very much at all, especially with the embedded advertising. Picasa is not that friendly and really focuses on Pictures anyway.

What's the alternative, what am I doing wrong.

Thank you in advance

[jlevon]

copernic works great for me... i don't see many ads, just a few promoting the corporate edition. if you don't want that for free, pay the one time purchase fee of 50 bucks. Much better than vista and google desktop. New version also allows you to index and search calendars, tasks, and notes.

here's your link to their free trial...

http://www.copernic.com/en/products/des ... trial.html

[Think]

I tried it and I don't like it. Couldn't figure out how to scan a specific are or just images of anytype - such as an external harddrive.

[Redduck]

I used to hate the Vista search also, it seemed non-intuitive and not nearly as configurable. I forced myself to use it, knowing that someday I would have to support clients on it.

I did find this web page with a lot of good Vista search information on it, including how Vista uses wildcards and other search criteria, it has helped me a lot so I thought I would share:
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/pages/advanced-search-techniques.aspx

Good luck!
Ken

[Think]

I used to hate the Vista search also, it seemed non-intuitive and not nearly as configurable. I forced myself to use it, knowing that someday I would have to support clients on it.

I did find this web page with a lot of good Vista search information on it, including how Vista uses wildcards and other search criteria, it has helped me a lot so I thought I would share:
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windo ... iques.aspx

Good luck!
Ken

Thank you Ken. I believe that index will have to be reinitialized for most of those features but convenience to me is more important then a slower access of information.

[nofile404]

Take a look at Effective File Search from Sowsoft.
Web add is: http://www.sowsoft.com

I've used it on 98SE and Mill as well as XP...here're the specs from Sowsoft site:

************************
Effective File Search
File Search Software for Windows

Effective File Search (EFS) is a powerful but easy to use search tool. Search any files on your computer or local network with this effective software. EFS is a real replacement for the Windows Search utility. You can save a lot of time with this excellent file search tool.

What's New (v5.4 - May, 2008):
Support of Windows 2008. (2008???)
Main features:
Search of files in folders or search results
Filtering by file date and size
Search of files containing text or hex
Support of regular expressions for advanced searches
Support of all popular file formats
(MS Office files, PDF, RTF, HTML and many other text and binary files)
Actions with search results (copy, delete, rename etc.)
Windows Explorer functionality (icons, context menus etc.)
Advanced print, export and report functions for your business
All results and parameters can be saved to file
Administrative options, automation (script language)

Effective File Search requires Win9X or WinNT/2000/XP/2003/Vista.
************************************
Uses Windows context menu and open with, send to, etc. all work.

[TonyT]

agent ransack is highly recommended:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/