CNET Editors' review
The built-in Windows search utility typically does a decent job of finding the occasional misplaced file, but it's not really made for heavy-duty searching. Agent Ransack, however, is. This highly customizable tool lets users search with a number of parameters that aren't a part of the Windows search utility, and it works quickly to boot.
The program's interface is plain and intuitive. Users can search file names or the text within files; specify the file size; search within a range of dates that the file was modified, created, or last accessed; and select whether they want to match cases. The program shows the search results in one pane and search statistics--the number of items searched and found, and the length of the search--in another. We found that Agent Ransack repeatedly located files that the Windows search tool did not, and we didn't have to wait a terribly long time for the results. We were also impressed by the fact that although Agent Ransack is easy to use, it comes with a very thorough and well-written Help file. It's suitable for novices who know simply that they want a more powerful search tool than what Windows provides, but it's also a good choice for more-advanced users, or those who would like to learn more about searching. Overall, we think that Agent Ransack is a good choice for just about everybody.
Agent Ransack installs politely but leaves a folder behind upon removal. We recommend this program to all users.
Publisher's Description
From Mythicsoft:
Agent Ransack is a freeware professional file-search utility for finding information on your hard drive quickly and efficiently. Agent Ransack provides many features, such as regular expressions that allow complex, rule-based searches; immediate contents results view; and various wizards to walk the user through the search process. Users familiar with the Unix grep command will appreciate the ability to search the contents of files using regular expressions, as well as the ability to view found contents without having to open the files.
What's new in this version: Version 1.7.3.762 adds thread configuration option to switch off multi-threading.
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All versions:
4.7 starsout of 83 votes
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Current version:
4.0 starsout of 12 votes
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My rating:
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"Finds the files but so does Windows 7/XP search."
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
It found the files I was looking for and to my surprise quite user friendly.But then so does Windows 7s file search. On Windows XP the desktop Windows search does not find very much. But then you have got search companion,you know the animated search with the dog,( called search companion.)And search companion finds everything. so the question is with search companion on windows XP and a very good Explorer search on windows 7. Do we really need Agent Ransack?
Cons
Could take up extra space for nothing when you can get the same results with Windows 7/XP search.
Summary
Yes Agent Ransack works but then, so does Windows XP search companion and Windows 7 explorer search,that can be enhanced if Indexing service is enabled on Windows 7.I already have Classic Shell which includes Classic Explorer. And they recommend Agent Ransack as it does not clash with Classic Shell and compliments it. But why do we need to search with agent ransack,when the Windows 7 or XP search gives the same results? Talking about the Windows XP search Companion,the one with the dog-when are they going to make a software that will reinstate something like animated search companion on Windows 7? I would love to have something like search companion,the dog,or or another animated search on Windows 7. But I cannot find any software that will install anything like Windows XP search companion on Windows 7.Andrea Borman.
I was hoping that Agent Ransack would bring back the animated search,like XP search,with the animated character,the dog. And also on Windows XP there is the magician and other animated characters to choose from.But it does not do that. I cannot find any software that puts animated search companion on Windows 7 like on Windows XP. A pity. Andrea Borman.
Updated on Nov 18, 2011 -
"This is the tool I turn to for file searching!!!"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
Love its ability to search files, sub-folders, specific file types, specific values within a file, etc.
Cons
Wish it was a bit faster, but I know it is definitely crunching away and doing a lot of work ... so maybe not really a con.
Summary
Would definitely recommend the use of this product if you are trying to find files, items within a file, and so on. Great product to have in your tool belt!
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"Great text grep tool"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
Lots of features for searching text in files, and it's pretty fast.
FreeCons
Not much, most of the features I'd like are in the paid version so I cannot complain.
Summary
Great tool I use daily and cannot live without.
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"Quick, Clean & Easy"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
Easily finds everything I am looking in all categories. Offers enough search options to get the job done without confusing the non-techie that I am. No indexing to endure, but still returns search results quickly and accurately.
Cons
None that I found.
Summary
A great, user friendly search tool that delivers as promised.
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"Disappointed - at least dir finds what I'm after"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
More straightforward than Vista/7
Cons
Couldn't find what I was looking for even though I know for certain it is there somewhere.
Summary
I needed to find an Outlook pst file that was on one of six partitions. The Windows 7 search was painful. I longed for the pre-Vista search. So I came across Agent Ransack and had great expectations. But it failed to deliver on the most trivial task - search c:\users for *,pst. Nothing. May be I was doing something wrong but I couldn't imagine what. The Windows 7 search found it. Knowing the path, I used it for the Agent Ransack search and even gave it the full filename - nothing.
So, searching C:\Users\John\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook for Outlook.pst simply didn't work even though I'm staring right at it in Explorer.
May be I'm a bit thick and I have to specify attributes somewhere. If so, there's nothing in the manual.
Utterly useless (on my machine at least). Guess I'll have to use dir. -
"Useless, utterly useless"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
Downloads fast, quick install
Cons
Couldn't find a file even when I set it to search a directory where the file was the ONLY thing to find. Couldn't find text within a file (using the wizard if found files that didn't contain it anything remotely like it.) Took too long to search.
Summary
This has to be somebody's idea of a joke, right? To not be able to find a simple text file? I'll stick to Windows search, thanks, at least it works.
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"Love it! Bye Bye Windows Search."
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
I hate Windows Vista search functionality (or the lack of it). Agent Ransack helped me regain sanity.
Cons
Non I can see
Summary
You must have it!
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"It saved me a lot of anguish"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
I lost an important document from my pc, couldn't remember its exact name, but with just two words I recalled from its text this software located a copy that was hidden in the backups on my extrenal hard drive. Thank you!
Cons
If you make a desktop shortcut the icon is invisible. I was going to say the name Agent Ransack is a bit childish but when I read the Help I learnt there is an IDENTICAL program called FileLocator Lite - and you can see its icon!
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"Very fast search utility with lots of options"
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
i needed a utility that would search within php files. and from my internet research agentransack seemed like the best bet. it has more options that the regular windows search and its faster
Cons
none so far!
Summary
if you want to have a comprehensive search utility you must have this one
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"Excellent piece of software. Works very well."
Version: Agent Ransack 1.7.3.762
Pros
Fast, convenient and low overhead. Does not constantly index your hard drive.
Cons
There should be an option to view file contents with a filename search. Often, when I am searching Word docs, I am searching by filename, but would like to see an idea of what the file contains.
Summary
Windows Search does not work at all on my XP system. It just says "Search Complete. There are no files to display." everytime I do a search. Thanks Microsoft. I have tried Google Search (annoying ads, crappy interface, bias towards web searches) and Copernic (takes over your system with its indexing activity, causes conflicts with other programs, high overhead). This program has a nice clean interface, does what it's supposed to, and doesn't take over your system with constant indexing. Very good product and an excellent alternative to Windows Search which on XP is broken out of the box.
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