Everything: I want it all

Everything puts your entire Windows file system (NTFS) at your fingertips.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Let's be honest. There's a lot to like about Microsoft Windows, and there's a lot that doesn't measure up. Local search can be filed in the latter category.

Too long have we been forced to endure slow and painful Windows Explorer searches or install a resource hog like Google Desktop to make up for what Windows lacks. A simple program called Everything, from small software publisher voidtools, aims to change all that.

With a simple interface and blazing speed, Everything does mostly one thing, and it does it extremely well. It creates a near-instant index of your files and directory names, then provides near-real-time results for any search term. The installer weighs just 300K, and RAM usage is minimal.

It's important to note, however, that Everything only works on NTFS file systems, and resource usage will go up quite a bit with large (1 million+) numbers of files.

Everything is one of those little, free applications that simply make using a Windows PC easier. It reminds me (just a little) of Tiny Watcher, another free tool that monitors your PC for any file changes since your last restart.

What itty bitty Windows programs do you depend on? Tell me about it in the comments.