USBSearch

Most individuals disregard the Windows built-in search system because it might fail to properly retrieve results. However, this is only because indexing is constantly active since files on your computer often change, as well as structures. In this regard, USBSearch lets you build custom indexes for specific locations to later on find files in a jiffy.

An advantage in particular is portability, which means the application doesn’t necessarily have to sit on your computer to function, and can easily be carried on a thumb drive to use on other PCs as well. Note that system registry entries are not modified in the process, so there’s no need to worry about the health status of the target PC.

When the application is up and running, it’s best to set up indexes first, otherwise it’s not capable of locating any files. However, the setup process of an index can prove a little tricky. This is mostly because the application requires documents to be in a location of your choice, but choosing to input the full source path can solve things out easier.

Multiple indexes can be created, and they don’t necessarily have to be places on removable drives, like the name can trick you into believing. Needless to say that you need to wait a while for an indexer to scan the entire location, and it can take some time for a crowded source.

When it comes to searching, this can be done in a simple mode by writing a text string, or based on advanced filters. These include logical interpreters, size specifications, extensions, date options, and categories, mostly coming in handy for locating text files, and other types of documents.

To conclude, USBSearch feels a little rough around the edges overall, with a lot of time spent configuring index location and search parameters. There’s no hotkey command to quickly initiate search, while results are not too easy to handle.