Quick Tip: Find anything from your desktop

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There's no shame in being too lazy to browse for files on your desktop if you've got a fast desktop search app like Copernic Desktop Search or Google Desktop.

Both free apps install a small search bar on your desktop, and both are good at rooting around in your enormously crowded file trees to pluck the fruit of your very minimal labor.

But there are differences between the Google and Copernic's search apps. Tune in to this Quick Tip video to see what they are.

Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter.

Topics:: Windows Software

Tags:: Quick Tip,; Copernic Desktop Search,; Google Desktop

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by vincentcnet February 5, 2009 9:03 PM PST: 2 key points that were not mentioned but are very important.

1. Copernic's free version also simultaneously searches both your hard drive AND the internet for related web content all in one click.

2. Copernic has a new mobile technology to allow you to use your cellphone, blackberry, pda, Iphone, or any other web enabled device to instantly search, view, and transfer content from your home or work pc directly into your mobile device. It is great for accessing your PC while your on the road.

Sorry Google, you've got some great products, But Copernic's PRO version is a far better Desktop Search tool; Like this Reply to this comment


by vincentcnet February 5, 2009 9:04 PM PST: link to copernic's mobile version... http://www.copernic.com/en/products/mobile/index.html; Like this Reply to this comment

by G-Skaf February 6, 2009 3:49 AM PST

It's probably better to just organise your files and know where everything is, rather than install a piece of software that has to run continuously, using up resources, to update its index. Putting all files in a single, huge folder and having to rely on software to actually find something is, in my view, not the way to go.

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by vincentcnet February 7, 2009 8:51 AM PST: i think your missing a very important benefit of desktop search and specifically one that copernic provides with its interface... and that is, by indexing your PC, you can SEE ALL RELATED INFORMATION for any given keyword, this is great so that for example, if you want to see all related powerpoints, documents, emails and pictures you have for "banana" it lists them all for you in less than a second and then if you press the file, it takes you instantly to that specific powerpoint slide or document with a quick preview you can directly cut and paste from!

There is NO WAY you could possible know what word exists in all your documents or files. Copernic is a productivity tool that helps you keep track of and view ALL YOUR RELATED content in one interface. That is what makes it worthwhile. The PRO edition was well worth the money as well.; Like this

by jojofrankie February 6, 2009 5:25 AM PST

I've tried them all, but once I found the tiny program called "Everything" I haven't looked elsewhere. It is so much faster and more complete than anything else that I've tried. Check it out, you'll like it. I am in no way affiliated with the creators/owners of "Everything".

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by d_messenjah February 6, 2009 9:20 AM PST: I agree with jojofrankie that "Everything" is better than the search tools mentioned. It provides a more straightforward approach on searching for things that lurks in your in hard drive. Based also on jojofrankie's comment...."Everything" is faster and lighter on resources. I'm also not affiliated with "Everything". I just love freeware and open source programs. =); Like this


by cheboncruz February 6, 2009 4:53 PM PST: launchy anyone?; Like this Reply to this comment


by queticomn February 8, 2009 7:54 PM PST: Funny, windows does this already if indexing is enabled. I disable indexing on my windows machine cause it runs faster then.

openSUSE has a kick butt desktop search built into the start menu.; Like this Reply to this comment


by gpc111 February 11, 2009 9:15 AM PST: I completely agree with the above comments about the program Everything. It's fast, easy, and does not use that much memory. The amount of memory it uses depends on the number of files on your hard drive. I use it all the time and would definitely recommend it .; Like this Reply to this comment