PC document search program

[Shaun]

Is there any program that allows you to search the contents of your own computer, just like a search engine does the internet? As in not just search for folder and file names, but to actually look into .html .doc .xls .pdf .txt files and list the ones which have matches to search terms you specify...

[ferd]

standard winxp allows you to search for words inside those documents....

[bugaboo]

google desktop http://desktop.google.com/

[ryan]

Originally Posted by bugaboo

google desktop http://desktop.google.com/

Yes. GDS is the best hands down.

Just learn all the search operands and you'll be doing great.

[emiffy]

Windows Live also has a similiar toolbar, but my recommendation would be google desktop.

[MaxPower]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Is there any program that allows you to search the contents of your own computer, just like a search engine does the internet? As in not just search for folder and file names, but to actually look into .html .doc .xls .pdf .txt files and list the ones which have matches to search terms you specify...

one of the best programs for this is Total Commander, available as shareware from ---

www.ghisler.com

it replaces windows file manager, is a full blown ftp client, etc. ... too many features to list here ... i've used it from its first version over a decade ago to what it is now. cannot live without it.

hope this helps.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by ferd

standard winxp allows you to search for words inside those documents....

Thanks Ferd, I tried it out though and it takes like 30 minutes to go through just one specific 700 mb directory mainly .html files that has 10 subfolders and in each of those subfolders probably another 50 subfolders, using a a simple eight character word as search term. I was hoping it would be a little quicker. Am I being unrealistic or are the other programs just as slow?

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Bugaboo and Ryan... currently downloading GDS and will try it out. Thanks.

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Thanks MaxPower, will try that out if GDS doesn't work for me.

[Shaun]

DLed GDS, specified the directories, built the indexes, and wow..... accurate and instant hits, all day, everyday! Thanks guys. Now I don't even have to organize anything since search is so specific and fast.

[Ole]

Try process explorer... its cool.