Pipy

Finding files on a messy PC easily becomes a frustrating task, especially if the Windows Search index is not completely built. However, there are various third-party alternatives to the default search feature. Pipy is one suitable example, and is not limited to local search, with options to also look up strings of interest over the web.

It only takes a little while before you get to benefit from what the application has to offer. There’s an additional option to make it run with Windows to have it ready by the time you reach the desktop, but this can also be configured later on from the settings menu.

On launch, the application adds a new tray icon, with it hiding there when not used. The desktop counterpart is a slim search bar, which can be visually tweaked by selecting one of several themes. Results appear as you type. Navigating through results is easy enough, with thumbnail, name, and path shown to be sure it’s the item you’re looking for.

Accessing the settings menu allows you to configure several behavior options, as well as plugins for offline, and online search. A useful tweak here is the option to configure a hotkey to quickly bring up and minimize the desktop search bar. Text displayed can be customized, with the possibility to choose a different color, and style.

As mentioned above, online search is one of the default features. For this to work, a simple command alias needs to be written down. The alias can be changed, and you can also add more search engines besides the ones already at your disposal, such as Google, Wikipedia, YouTube, IMDb, and Amazon.

All things considered, Pipy is a useful search tool which quietly sits in the tray area. It’s easily brought up through hotkeys, enabling you to almost instantly find files on your computer, but also look up stuff online. It comes in a lightweight package, can be visually tweaked, and individuals of all levels of experience quickly get the hang of things because of the intuitive design.