Ever lost a file on your computer and spent ages digging through folders to find it? Meet Everything, a free desktop search utility for Windows that promises to locate files and folders by name in an instant. Developed by Voidtools, this lightweight tool has earned a loyal following among users who crave speed and simplicity in their digital lives. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user managing thousands of files, Everything might just become your go-to solution.

What Makes Everything Special?

Unlike Windows’ built-in search, which can feel sluggish and resource-heavy, Everything takes a different approach. When you first launch it, the software builds an index of every file and folder name on your NTFS or ReFS drives—think of it as a super-fast catalog. For a fresh Windows 10 install with about 120,000 files, indexing takes just a second. Once indexed, searches are lightning-fast, displaying results as you type. No more waiting around!

Everything’s magic lies in its use of the NTFS Master File Table and change journal, which keeps the index updated in real-time with minimal system impact. It uses less than 15 MB of RAM and under 10 MB of disk space for a typical setup, making it a featherweight compared to other search tools.

Key Features to Love

  • Instant Search: Type a few letters—like “pres” for “presentation”—and watch results filter instantly. Add terms like “2025” to narrow it down further.
  • Lightweight Design: It won’t bog down your PC, even on older systems (compatible from Windows XP to 11).
  • Flexible Options: Search by file name, use wildcards (e.g., *.jpg), or exclude specific folders. Advanced users can even tap into regular expressions.
  • Network Support: With an ETP server setup, you can search mapped network drives—perfect for shared environments.
  • Portable Version: No installation needed—just download and run. One catch: Everything focuses on file names, not content. While it offers a slower content search option (via the content: function), it’s not its strength. If you need full-text search, tools like AnyTXT Searcher might complement it.

Why It’s a TechTips Favorite

For our “TechTips” audience, Everything shines as a productivity booster. Imagine needing that elusive “budget.xlsx” buried in a maze of folders. Type “budg,” hit Enter, and there it is—no fuss, no delay. It’s ideal for anyone juggling multiple projects or cleaning up cluttered drives. Plus, its minimalist interface keeps the focus on results, not flashy distractions.

Recent updates (like version 1.5a from late 2024, noted on X) have added perks like pinyin search for Chinese users and performance tweaks, showing Voidtools’ commitment to improvement. At just 1.7 MB to download, it’s a no-brainer to try.

Getting Started

Download Everything from voidtools.com, available as a portable or installer version (32-bit or 64-bit). On first run, it’ll ask for admin rights to enable NTFS indexing—or you can set it as a service to bypass UAC prompts. Once indexed, type a file name in the search bar, and you’re off. Pair it with your Jekyll-built techtips site, and you’ve got a winning combo for tech-savvy readers.

Who’s It For?

Everything is perfect for students, professionals, or anyone who hates wasting time hunting files. It’s not open-source, but its permissive license and free access make it widely appealing. If you manage a busy PC or network, this tool could save you hours.

Final Verdict

Everything lives up to its name by finding everything—fast. It’s not about bells and whistles; it’s about delivering results when you need them. Add it to your digital toolkit, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Ready to give it a spin? Head to Voidtools and see the difference for yourself.