Cathy for Windows

Name: Cathy
Rating: 4.3 (15 reviews)
Author: Robert Vasicek

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Used Cathy for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 26, 2026

This tool efficiently indexes files on various media, creating searchable catalogs accessible without the original disks. It offers quick searching and useful file management features.

Top Recommended Alternative

CD Reader

Free

2.4

Pros
- Extremely small and fast performance
- Easy to use interface
- Indexes removable media, hard drives, and network drives
- Search by file name, date, and size
- Single file executable, no installation required
Cons
- Limited search criteria
- No cloud storage indexing
- Basic reporting features
- No metadata indexing beyond file attributes

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: February 23, 2013

Latest update: February 26, 2026

Version: 2.31

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 10
Windows XP
Windows 8

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 38,781

Downloads Last Week: 2

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.3/5

15 User Votes

Fast and portable
CarlPHDecember 16, 2014
Pros
Small file size, portable and does not require installation
Cons
-Minimal UI -You will need to right click the line and click open to access the file
Summary
Simple, fast, works like a charm
pike_TSJune 20, 2014
Pros
Lightning fast, slim, portable, no install, easy searches, no frills.
Cons
Remember WIN 3.1 looks? Cathy's not quite that flamboyant.
Summary
I started using Cathy years ago - I was backing up work on DVDs and, well, quite a few of those would pile up over a year. Cathy to the rescue. Catalog them, search Cathy's superlight catalog when needed, take the right DVDs from the pile. Of course, it can also catalog flash disks, HDDs and just about anything you throw at it, so it's not likely to leave my collection anytime soon.
GOOD, NOT GREAT
tdasoSeptember 30, 2012
Pros
* VERY FAST * MINIMAL RESOURCES * NOT INTEFERING WITH THE REGISTRY
Cons
* NO REPORTS * NO ADEQUATE FILTERS
Summary
THIS PROGRAM COULD BE PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO WANT BASIC INDEXING & SEARCHING - FOR ME IT HAS AN ESSENTIAL FLAW: IT CANNOT FILTER FOLDERS AND THAT'S WHY I'M NOT USING IT
Great Little Bit of Software
danzig138June 9, 2012
Pros
Easy to use, handled everything I threw at it.
Cons
Doesn't seem to work with Win7.
Summary
Excellent program.
Very fast an lightweight
AndrenextAugust 14, 2011
Pros
It works easy and fast. It works, and that's it!
Cons
the interface is a bit ugly
Summary
WOW!! Size really doesn't matter!!
Wiss_83January 26, 2011
Pros
- small - effective cataloging tool for business or for home - can catalog not just CDs or DVDs but everything, even your files in your Hard Disk - fast cataloging and indexing process - easy and fast search - It's FREE! - all languages support
Cons
not so much options available
Summary
Cathy is a real example when it comes to size, so size doesn't matter, this 40 kb freeware will make searching for anything you want just easy and reliable, whatever you are doing, for business, if you have a retail shop or even at home, if you have lots of CDs and DVDs to catalog and who told you that this tiny amazing freeware only works on DVDs or CDs? just add any folder, heck, add all your drives, go away for 10 minutes (or even less) and you're done, all you files are cataloged and ready to be searched as fast as it could be, even it could replace the search indexer!! want to create another catalogs? easy just copy the cathy.exe to a new folder and create new catalogs your 1rst language is not english? no problem, cathy will read any language you throw at it (should be installed in windows of course) and should I remind you of the best feature of this amazing program? IT'S FREE!!!!
Has all i need. Used it since it first came out!
starcrestedNovember 13, 2010
Pros
I needed most of its features for simple and other more complicated jobs. It literally helped me to keep a job as archivist for 4 years. (until i moved up ^^).
Cons
None that i can specify at the moment.
Summary
Great media cataloging tool, simple, easy and reliable.
fensen_jpMay 12, 2010
Pros
Simple. Easy to use. Completeley reliable. Handles all types of media.Portable.
Cons
Few customizing options. Can't clear search history.
Summary
Cathy does exactly what I need. Nothing more, nothing less. I've been using it since 2005 and never found a bug.
Simple, straightforward, very fast, easy and portable.
Spike TorontoFebruary 7, 2010
Pros
Pretty easy to use, available in many languages, can quickly build and store a catalogue in the same folder as the program (no possibility or need to "export" the database; just put it on a USB key and run it from there). Searching is very fast.
Cons
Doesn't read any file headers or characteristics, so can't search by MP3 tag, but that's not a big problem. Some desirable features are not implemented, but it does was it says very well. By default stores settings in registry.
Summary
Small, fast, portable, and simple file cataloguing tool. Index your files on any media, including CD, DVD, USB key, flash memory chips, removable drives, internal drives, and net drives. The resulting catalogues can be taken anywhere on a USB key and explored or searched. If a volume is available, exploration and searching result in clickable links for opening the files. Catalogue only uses file name, date, and size, but that's good enough for most purposes. Excellent for keeping track of files stored on a variety of devices and media.
great, simple catalog program
dpaulusOctober 7, 2009
Pros
ease to use. accurate and easy search function
Cons
gui could use a little facelift
Summary

Developer’s Description

By Robert Vasicek

Index files stored on removable media.

An extremly small, very fast and easy to use media cataloging tool. You can use it to index files stored on removable media (CD-ROMs, LS120, Iomega Zip and Jaz disks, or even diskettes), hard disks or net drives, and create searchable catalogs that can be used without having access to original media. Searching capabilities are based on file name, date and size. Additional features include filtering options, search duplicates or singles, customizable date format, etc. Found files can be opened (executed) or deleted directly, if they are present. Drag&drop support. Directory trees, MP3 album/song lists can be printed, disk space usage can be investigated. Single file executable, no install needed.

Cathy for Windows

Editors’ Review

Top Recommended Alternative

CD Reader

Pros

Cons