Agent Ransack for Windows

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Key Details of Agent Ransack

Find information on your hard drive quickly and efficiently.
Last updated on November 7, 2018
There have been 4 updates
Virus scan status:
Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffNovember 7, 2018

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.

What’s new in version 2014-build-828

Version 2014 build 828 is a bug fixing release.

Agent Ransack for Windows

Used Agent Ransack for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 18, 2014

Latest update: November 7, 2018

Version: 2014-build-828

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows 10
Windows 98
Windows 95

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 173,487

Downloads Last Week: 10

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.7/5

84 User Votes

Very good ... almost
RickDatonFebruary 11, 2016
Pros
- A much needed replacement for the horrible power-stripping search included with recent versions of Windows. - Not dependent on a file index. - Can run multiple instances (multiple searches at once). - Builds a temporary index as it searches so that subsequent searches in the same directory are faster (index is discarded on exit). - Can save the current search criteria to file (so that you can run the same search later without remembering/retyping). - When searching file contents, shows a preview of the line your search term was found in. - Can export results to clipboard or file in multiple formats with multiple encoding options. Can even export just the results you select and can export file & path information or the line of text your search term was found in, or both - Do case-sensitive, date-range and file-size searches - Pause & resume searches. - Clear history on exit. - Does not install a service or attempt to run at Windows start (or other user-insulting things).
Cons
- The file name search doesn't use common Boolean expression as you'd expect. Instead it uses far less common DOS expression. This important detail is not made very apparent and new users may unknowingly fail to find existing files many times before they figure out what's going on. Mythicsoft intentionally excluded the option to use Boolean in file name searches so that users will buy their non-free search program (FileLocator Pro) instead. Not cool. - The file contents search field, however, does use Boolean and that inconsistency results in lots of confusion/mistakes - I've encounter miscellaneous bugs here & there but, unfortunately, I didn't write them down. An example, off the top of my head, is the the software's refusal to search contents of .doc files - There's very little about the software that requires installation so it's silly that there isn't a stand-alone version available. Currently, the software requires install and a reboot upon uninstall.
Summary
Excellent! The windows 10 search is rubbish.
chavellasNovember 21, 2015
Pros
Finds everything on the disk. Integrates with windows explorer.
Cons
None. Everything is fine.
Summary
Highly recommended.
Amazing! Excellent!
vesstovesstoAugust 1, 2014
Pros
Fast and accurate
Cons
None by now
Summary
After testing around 10 free programs today I was literary happy to find this one! It can browse and search in folders, allows copy/cut of the find files and it is extremely fast. Very recommended program!
Disapointed
GragzMarch 29, 2014
Pros
N/A (See con)
Cons
I was hoping to be able to right click a folder in Windows Explorer and search. This is all I wanted, so I uninstalled. Hence N/A in Pro's.
Summary
Would be great if it had a search option in the Context Menu in Windows Explorer... but it doesn't. :(
FANTASTIC!
rab96August 30, 2013
Pros
It's fast and finds everything. Searches within Word, Excell, PDF files (try to do that using the Windows Search function). Keeps a low profile, easy on resources. Exports results. It's free.
Cons
Multi select of files with context menu does not work in combination with WinMerge (i.e. if you want to compare 2 files in WinMerge you have to select them one by one in AgentRansack, in contrast to the Windows Explorer).
Summary
Essential tool for any software developer.
Searches ALL THE THINGS
AquagorillabearJanuary 14, 2013
Pros
Ignore those who say this is the same as Windows built-in search. It's not. Here's the main reason, and this is also the reason why I couldn't live without Agent Ransack and why I use it every day: It can search not just Word and Excel files but also Publisher files and PDFs. THIS IS VITAL. No other program, not even Google Desktop, can search Publisher files -- at least, no program that I've found. The fact that MS Windows cannot search text in MS Publisher is ridiculous. (Some of you might wonder why anyone even uses Publisher. Well, whatever -- my company does, and Ransack makes my job doable. Before I found this program, finding files was a nightmare.)
Cons
the icon is stupid looking
Summary
Finds the files but so does Windows 7/XP search.
andreabormanNovember 18, 2011
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.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Nov 18, 2011<p/>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.
This is the tool I turn to for file searching!!!
JodyWoodOctober 20, 2011
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!
Great text grep tool
StretchArmAugust 23, 2011
Pros
Lots of features for searching text in files, and it's pretty fast. Free
Cons
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.
Quick, Clean & Easy
bobdigAugust 6, 2011
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.

Developer’s Description

Find information on your hard drive quickly and efficiently.

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.