Lets face it, Windows Search sucks. The indexing is resource-intensive, and the results are sketchy at best. If you’ve ever wanted to up you game and find files or folders on your PC instantly, try Everything Search Engine. This bad boy indexes your files in record time and returns search results faster than you can say “Where the heck is my resume?” It’s lightweight, lightning-fast, and doesn’t hog your resources.

So, how does it do its magic? Everything runs in administrator mode and taps into the NTFS Master File Table (MFT), which essentially acts as your drive’s master index. While this might sound intimidating, it’s necessary to unlock the speed and depth of its search capabilities. It’s not changing files or altering system settings—just reading the directory info. Doing so gains permission to access this data, skipping all the nonsense bogging down standard search tools. The result? Near-instant file name searches, even on drives with millions of files.

Why use Everything Search
Picture this: You’ve got a massive Downloads folder that’s a mishmash of files like “setup(1).exe,” “FinalFinalDoc(2).pdf,” and who-knows-what-else. Fire up Everything, type what you’re looking for, and BOOM—you’ve found your file generally before you even finish typing. Whether you're a gamer hunting for that mod file, a photographer sorting through years of photos, or a tinkerer looking for old batch scripts, Everything gets you there without the headache. Pro tip: Save common searches or create shortcuts for the stuff you access daily.

▶

Pros
- Blazing Fast: Searches your files instantly—no waiting around like a chump.
- Lightweight: Uses minimal system resources, even with a massive number of files.
- Customizable: Exclude certain files or folders, tweak indexing options, or use filters to narrow your search.
- Privacy-Conscious: Only indexes file names and paths, not contents, and nothing gets sent online.
Cons
- NTFS Dependency: Works best with NTFS drives. FAT and exFAT drives need manual indexing.
- Administrator Mode: While it’s key to its speed, some users might balk at needing elevated permissions to run.
- No File Content Search: If you’re looking for a tool to search file contents (e.g., inside a document), this isn’t it.

Similar:

How to Delete and Rebuild the Windows 10 & 11 Search Index

How to Disable Bing Search in the Windows 10/11 Start Menu

Enable or Disable Enhanced Mode for Windows Search

How to Show or Hide the Search Box or Search Icon in Windows 10 & 11