Everything – Lightning Fast File Search for Windows

What is Everything?

Everything is a lightning-fast desktop search utility for Windows that instantly locates files and folders by filename using real-time indexing that makes Windows’ built-in search seem comically slow by comparison—delivering search results as you type with zero lag even on drives containing millions of files. Developed by David Carpenter (voidtools) and first released in 2009, Everything has become essential software for power users, system administrators, and anyone frustrated with Windows Search’s glacial speed and unreliable results. With millions of users worldwide who refuse to tolerate slow file searches, Everything proves that desktop search can be instantaneous, accurate, and resource-efficient when designed correctly.

Everything excels through revolutionary approach of indexing only filenames and locations (not file contents) from NTFS Master File Table, creating complete searchable database of every file on your drives in seconds—initial indexing of millions of files completes in under a minute, after which searches return results instantly as you type each character. The real-time search updates results with each keystroke, supports regular expressions and advanced boolean operators for complex queries, filters by file type or location, sorts results by any column, and uses minimal system resources (typically under 20MB RAM for millions of files). For anyone who’s waited minutes for Windows Search to find files they know exist, Everything’s instant results feel like magic—type “report.pdf” and see every matching file across all drives before finishing the word.

Beyond basic filename search, Everything offers powerful features including HTTP server for remote file searching across network, FTP server functionality, integration with Windows context menus, bookmarks for frequent searches, search history, file preview, and ETP/FTP server capabilities enabling network-wide file location across multiple computers. Advanced search syntax supports wildcards, macros, functions filtering by size, date, attributes, and path, while keyboard-friendly interface allows mouse-free operation. For power users managing large file collections, IT administrators locating files across networks, or anyone simply tired of Windows Search’s inadequacy, Everything delivers the desktop search experience that Windows should have included from the beginning.

Key Features

• Instant Search Results: Real-time results appear as you type with zero lag, even with millions of files indexed.
• Lightning-Fast Indexing: Complete drive indexing in seconds—typically processes millions of files in under a minute.
• Minimal Resource Usage: Typically uses 10-20MB RAM regardless of index size with negligible CPU impact.
• Advanced Search Syntax: Wildcards, regular expressions, boolean operators, and search functions for complex queries.
• File Type Filters: Quickly filter by documents, images, videos, audio, or custom file extensions.
• Real-Time Updating: Index updates instantly when files are added, renamed, or deleted.
• Network Search: HTTP and ETP servers enable searching files across network from web browsers.
• Context Menu Integration: Search Everything from Windows Explorer right-click context menus.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Customizable hotkeys launch Everything and execute common actions without mouse.
• Bookmarks: Save frequent searches for instant access to specific file locations or patterns.
• Search History: Recently-used searches available for quick re-execution.
• Sort and Filter: Results sortable by name, size, date modified, or path with instant re-sorting.
• File Preview: Preview images and text files directly within Everything interface.
• Portable Version: Run from USB drive without installation for file searches anywhere.
• Completely Free: All features available without cost, ads, or premium tiers.

What’s New in Everything 2024/2025

• Everything 1.5 Alpha: Major version with improved indexing, better search syntax, and enhanced features.
• Multiple Index Support: Index and search multiple drives or network locations independently.
• Enhanced Search Syntax: More powerful search functions and improved boolean query support.
• Better Performance: Optimized indexing and search for even faster results on large indexes.
• Improved UI: Enhanced interface with better high-DPI display support.
• Windows 11 Compatibility: Full support and integration with Windows 11.
• Enhanced Network Features: Better ETP server performance and reliability.
• More File Attributes: Search and filter by additional file properties and metadata.
• Bug Fixes: Addressed edge cases and improved stability.
• Better Unicode Support: Improved handling of international characters in filenames.

System Requirements

Windows

• Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or Windows 11
• NTFS file system (required for instant indexing—works on FAT32 with slower indexing)
• 5 MB RAM minimum (typically uses 10-20MB regardless of index size)
• 5 MB available disk space
• Administrator rights for optimal functionality (can run without but with limitations)

Important Notes

• Everything is Windows-only software
• Works best on NTFS drives (instant indexing via MFT)
• FAT32, exFAT, and network drives indexed differently (slower)
• Portable version available for use without installation

How to Get Started with Everything

1. Download: Visit voidtools.com and download installer or portable ZIP version.
2. Install: Run installer and follow prompts—installation completes in seconds.
3. Launch Everything: Open application—indexing begins automatically, completing in under a minute.
4. Start Searching: Type filename in search box—results appear instantly as you type.
5. Narrow Results: Continue typing to refine search—results update with each character.
6. Use Wildcards: Type *.pdf to find all PDF files, or report*.docx for specific patterns.
7. Filter by Location: Add folder path like c:\documents\*.xlsx to search specific locations.
8. Sort Results: Click column headers to sort by name, size, date modified, or path.
9. Open Files: Double-click results to open files, or right-click for context menu options.
10. Set Hotkey: Tools > Options > Keyboard to configure global hotkey launching Everything.
11. Explore Search Syntax: Help > Search Syntax shows advanced query options and functions.
12. Create Bookmarks: Bookmarks > Add Bookmark saves frequent searches for quick access.

Everything vs Alternatives

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely Free: All features available without cost, ads, or premium tiers.
• Instant Results: Real-time search faster than any alternative—results appear as you type.
• Minimal Resources: Uses tiny amounts of RAM and CPU compared to Windows Search.
• Lightning Indexing: Indexes millions of files in seconds, not hours like Windows Search.
• Accurate Results: Shows every file matching criteria without missing files or showing irrelevant results.
• Powerful Syntax: Advanced search operators enable complex queries beyond simple filename matching.
• Real-Time Updates: Index updates instantly when files change without manual re-indexing.
• Network Capabilities: HTTP/ETP servers enable remote searching across network.
• Keyboard-Friendly: Global hotkey and keyboard shortcuts enable mouse-free operation.
• Portable Version: No installation required for use on any Windows computer.

Cons

• Filename Only: Doesn’t search file contents—only filenames and locations.
• NTFS Preferred: Best performance requires NTFS drives—slower on FAT32/exFAT.
• Windows Only: No macOS or Linux versions available.
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Powerful search syntax requires learning for complex queries.
• No Content Indexing: Cannot find files based on document text or metadata beyond filename.
• Network Drive Indexing: Slower indexing of network shares compared to local NTFS drives.

Who Should Use Everything?

Everything is ideal for:

• Power Users: Anyone frustrated with Windows Search’s slow speed and unreliable results.
• Large Drive Owners: Users with multiple terabytes of files needing fast location.
• IT Administrators: System admins locating files across networks quickly.
• File Hoarders: Those with extensive file collections spanning millions of documents and media.
• Developers: Programmers finding source code files across multiple project directories.
• Digital Media Managers: Managing large photo, video, and music libraries.
• Efficiency Enthusiasts: Users who value time and refuse to wait for slow searches.
• Network Users: Searching for files across multiple computers via HTTP/ETP.
• Keyboard Power Users: Those preferring keyboard shortcuts over mouse clicking.
• Anyone Using Windows: Essentially everyone on Windows benefits from faster file search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Everything so much faster than Windows Search?

Everything reads the NTFS Master File Table (MFT) directly, which already contains every filename and location on your drive. Instead of crawling through folders like Windows Search, Everything builds its index from MFT in seconds. Windows Search indexes file contents (slower) and stores indexes in complex databases that require more processing. Everything’s filename-only approach trades content search capability for unmatched speed—if you know the filename, Everything finds it instantly.

Can Everything search file contents like Windows Search?

No, Everything searches only filenames and locations, not file contents. For content search (finding “sales report” inside documents), use Windows Search, Agent Ransack, or FileLocator Pro. However, most searches are filename-based (“find that PDF report”), where Everything excels. Many users keep both—Everything for instant filename searches, Windows Search for occasional content searches. Everything’s speed advantage for filename searches typically outweighs content search limitation.

Does Everything work on non-NTFS drives?

Everything works on FAT32, exFAT, and network drives, but without instant indexing. On non-NTFS drives, Everything must manually scan files (like traditional search tools), which is slower initially but still faster than Windows Search. Results remain instant once indexed. For optimal performance, use Everything on NTFS-formatted drives where it can read the MFT directly. External drives and network shares work but won’t provide the same instant indexing.

Is Everything safe and does it collect data?

Everything is completely safe, contains no malware, collects no data, and makes no network connections except when you explicitly enable HTTP/ETP servers for remote searching. The software is portable and transparent—it simply reads file information Windows already maintains in the MFT. Everything has been trusted by millions since 2009 with clean reputation in security community. Download only from official voidtools.com to ensure authenticity.

Final Verdict

Everything has revolutionized desktop file search by proving that instant results aren’t just possible—they’re trivially easy when software is designed correctly. The dramatic speed difference compared to Windows Search transforms file location from frustrating wait into instantaneous retrieval, changing how users interact with their file systems. Once you’ve experienced typing a filename and seeing results before finishing the word, waiting minutes for Windows Search becomes intolerable. Everything doesn’t just improve search—it eliminates waiting entirely, making file location essentially instantaneous regardless of drive size or file count.

The filename-only limitation prevents Everything from fully replacing Windows Search for users who frequently need content searching, but for the vast majority of searches where you know approximate filename, Everything delivers unmatched speed and accuracy. The minimal resource usage, real-time indexing, powerful search syntax, and network capabilities make it essential software that belongs on every Windows PC. Download from voidtools.com and experience the desktop search Windows should have provided from the beginning—you’ll wonder how you ever tolerated anything slower.