search application for Windows XP?

[vintage]

I got very frustrated with Windows own search function not returning the right results.

It wasn't finding files I knew were there (and was able to locate manually).

By the way, I have Windows XP Media Center Edition.

So, upon the recommendation of a friend, I downloaded Agent Ransack. It's very fast and works great. But, there's a problem.

It only returns the name / location of the file. There's no option to see a thumbnail of the file if it is an image. (That is one thing I really like about Windows search.)

Since I'm a webdesigner, I often search for images, and the name of the file isn't always descriptive enough to help me identify if a particular file is the one I'm looking for or not.

So, I wonder if anyone can recommend a fast, reliable search application that has the option for a thumbnail view.

Or, is there a way to get Windows' own search function to work better, so it actually finds all the files searched for?

Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

cheers!

Denise

[Mike567]

I use launchy to search through my start menu links.

[vintage]

I use launchy to search through my start menu links.

Thanks very much.

I just Googled launchy and found its website.

I guess I don't really understand if it will search for a file with a particular name and show thumbnails of the results, though. It seems to be mostly used for opening files quickly - is that the case?

I just want to see a list of files with a particular name, and a thumbnail of each, without actually opening the files. Like Windows Search does - but accurately. ;-)

Thanks!!

Denise

[catgate]

Have a look at Picasa.

http://picasa.google.com/

[Scarecrow Man]

Google - http://desktop.google.com/

Microsoft - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ch/default.mspx

Copernic - http://www.copernic.com/en/products/deskto...arch/index.html

They all do their job quite well. Some people may be more partial to the other. These are more of a full indexing search, rather than just program but you can specify to only find programs within them all I believe.

[vintage]

Have a look at Picasa.

http://picasa.google.com/

Thanks for the suggestion. I do need to be able to search all the images & files on my computer, though - not just photos.

I really need something that completely replaces Windows Search.

cheers ~

Denise

[vintage]

Google - <a href="http://desktop.google.com/" target="_blank">http://desktop.google.com/</a>

Microsoft - <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ch/default.mspx" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...ch/default.mspx</a>

Copernic - <a href="http://www.copernic.com/en/products/deskto...arch/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.copernic.com/en/products/deskto...arch/index.html</a>

They all do their job quite well. Some people may be more partial to the other. These are more of a full indexing search, rather than just program but you can specify to only find programs within them all I believe.

Thanks. I have used Google's desktop search in the past and didn't care for it; was concerned about privacy issues.

I'll check into the others. A bit skeptical about the Microsoft one, since the Windows search function they built into my computer doesn't work. :-) But I'll see what it - and Copernic, which I hadn't heard of before - have to offer

.

Thanks very much.

best,

Denise

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I have tried Google Desktop Search in the past, and it didn't do a very good job (amazingly!).

I tried Windows Desktop Search, and it did an excellent job (amazingly!). However, with the latest version I was unable to find how to disable email indexing; that's why I got rid of it.

Now I am using Copernic Desktop Search 2, and it does a very average job. It sometimes hangs up my system with 100% CPU usage, even when indexing is paused. I only keep it because I can disable email indexing.

Usage, functionality, and speed - Windows Desktop Search is the best, IMHO.