Everything
Instant filename search across every NTFS drive, reading the Master File Table directly. Filenames only by default, but nothing we tested comes close.
File search software reviews
Last updated: · written by the FileLocator team
Every tool below was installed and run on the same machine against the same 1.2 million-file test library, doing the same tasks. Scores are out of 10 and reward speed, accuracy and how well a tool does its job — a filename finder is not marked down for not reading PDFs.
Where to start: most Windows users should install Everything for filenames and Agent Ransack for text inside files — both free, and between them they cover nine searches out of ten. Only pay (X1, Copernic) if you need Outlook email in the same search box. For ranked picks, see the best file search software or the best free tools.
All reviews at a glance
Sorted by score, highest first. Prices are what we paid or saw listed at test time and vary by region.
| Tool | Score ↓ | Best for | Price | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everything | 9.5/10 | Finding files by name | Free | Windows |
| Agent Ransack | 8.7/10 | Searching inside documents | Free | Windows |
| grepWin | 8.5/10 | Bulk find-and-replace in text and code | Free (open source) | Windows |
| FileLocator Pro | 8.5/10 | Agent Ransack users who outgrow it | From $79/user | Windows |
| Listary | 8.0/10 | Open/save dialogs and quick launching | Free / Pro ~$20 once | Windows |
| UltraSearch | 8.0/10 | Instant search without a background service | Free for private use | Windows |
| X1 Search | 8.0/10 | Business email + file search | Paid, ~$100/seat/yr | Windows |
| Copernic Desktop Search | 7.5/10 | Files plus Outlook at home | Paid, ~$60–80/yr | Windows |
| DocFetcher | 7.5/10 | Free content indexing on any OS | Free (open source) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
The one-line verdicts
Open any review for the full test results, pros and cons, and pricing details.
Agent Ransack
The best free way to search inside files: boolean, regex, Office and PDF support, and a preview of every hit. Slow on huge trees because it has no index.
grepWin
Regex search and replace across whole folder trees, with capture groups and backups. Plain-text files only.
Listary
Search where you already are: a double-Ctrl launcher, find-as-you-type in Explorer, and file dialogs that jump to the right folder.
UltraSearch
Instant MFT filename search with no index or background service. Local NTFS only, needs admin rights.
X1 Search
The most complete unified search across files, Outlook email and attachments, priced per seat for businesses.
Copernic Desktop Search
Polished indexed search over files and Outlook together, for an annual subscription free tools partly replicate.
DocFetcher
Free, open-source indexed content search with Lucene queries that runs anywhere, even from a USB stick. Dated Java UI, manual index upkeep.
FileLocator Pro
Agent Ransack's Pro mode: optional indexing, OCR for scanned PDFs, Outlook and archive search, and reporting on the same content-search engine.
Want a ranked shortlist instead?
Our roundups pick a winner for each type of user, and the comparisons settle the common head-to-heads.