AlSys: Need File Search Portable

If you ever want to quickly find a specific file on your computer, the default search function has a high chance of helping out. However, the Windows tool can take time to index all locations, and there are various third-party alternatives like AlSys: Need File Search Portable which use different techniques to retrieve files even faster.

As the name clearly points out, the application skips you the effort of getting it installed on your computer, and can just as well be used from a thumb drive. System registry entries are not modified during the search operation, so the target PC’s health status remains intact.

All features you get to work with are in plain sight in the main window. Different fields need to be filled in to define search terms, and file filters. Results are always shown in a large table with column headers for name, path, size in bytes, and MB, date modified, extension, and attributes.

Setting up a search operation requires minimum effort. On the one hand, the path needs to be filled in, and can be any folder, because the less complex the structure, the faster results are shown, and the more chances of success. An additional option can include subfolders as well.

A mandatory requirement is the file you want to find. However, you’re not limited to a single query, with the possibility to include multiple strings separated by semicolon (;). This way, file filters become a bit more accurate, since you can look for specific extensions, with some common ones already provided by default in a selection panel.

Additional filters are used in case the file of interest is equipped with specific attributes like hidden, read-only, or system. Moreover, you can specify a size range in case you have an idea of how large the file is.

Sadly, the operation doesn’t always deliver the expected results. There’s a high chance nothing is retrieved if the search location is too complex. If results are indeed found, double-clicking a file opens it, with the option to bring up the source folder instead.

In conclusion, AlSys: Need File Search Portable comes with flexibility in mind, so you can find files on any computer with great ease. However, techniques used don’t always retrieve results, especially in complex folder trees, even though there are enough filters to refine search conditions.