Windows Software

Everything

Everything is a lightweight Windows file search utility that rapidly indexes file and folder names, updates results in real time, and supports filters, regex, advanced queries, content search, and file management.

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✓ Software download·Open Source·Updated August 29, 2026
DeveloperDavid Carpenter
LicenseOpen Source
File size2.2 MB
LanguageEnglish
DownloadsN/A (WinGet has no global total)

Instant Windows File and Folder Search

Everything is a Windows search utility that builds a compact index of file and folder names so matching items can appear almost immediately as a user types. It automatically indexes local NTFS volumes and can also include folders, FAT or ReFS volumes, network locations, and file lists through additional configuration. Search results can be narrowed by names, paths, extensions, sizes, dates, attributes, wildcards, regular expressions, and other query functions. The application also supports sorting, thumbnails, a preview pane, filters, bookmarks, and search history. Its main value is reducing the time required to locate files across large Windows storage collections without waiting for repeated full-drive scans.

Everything keeps NTFS indexes current by monitoring filesystem changes and using the NTFS USN Journal, so newly created, renamed, moved, or deleted items can appear without a full reindex. File content can also be searched, although content itself is not indexed and therefore takes longer than filename queries. Users organizing downloaded files from qBittorrent can use this search utility to locate completed folders quickly without browsing multiple storage locations manually. Version 1.4 also supports multi-file renaming, advanced search expressions, HTTP and ETP server functions, and a separate command-line interface. Actual search speed depends on the indexed locations, query type, storage configuration, and whether slower content-search functions are used.

Benefits of Using Everything

Everything saves time by turning file discovery into an immediate filtering task rather than forcing users to browse folders or wait for slower repeated searches. Its filename index is small and continuously updated, so large collections can remain searchable with relatively modest memory and disk usage. Advanced filters help users narrow results by extension, location, size, date, attributes, or naming patterns, while regular expressions provide greater control for complex searches. Search and run history make frequently accessed items easier to return to, and bookmarks can preserve useful query configurations for repeated tasks. Preview, thumbnail, sorting, and multi-file rename tools reduce the need to open separate utilities for basic file inspection and organization. The ability to index additional folders and network locations also makes the program useful beyond a single local NTFS drive. For users who handle thousands of documents, downloads, media files, or project assets, these capabilities can substantially reduce repetitive navigation.

Everything features

Key capabilities and highlights.

Feature 1

Instant Filename Indexing

The application builds a compact database of file and folder names, allowing matching results to appear rapidly as search text is entered. Fixed NTFS volumes can be indexed automatically, while additional folder and filesystem sources can be configured separately. This approach avoids repeatedly scanning an entire drive for every basic filename search.

Feature 2

Real-Time Index Updates

Everything monitors filesystem changes and uses the NTFS USN Journal to keep indexed names synchronized with current disk contents. New, deleted, renamed, or moved files can therefore appear in search results without rebuilding the complete database. Changes made while the application is closed can be reconciled when it starts again.

Feature 3

Advanced Search Syntax

Search expressions can combine text, wildcards, Boolean operators, paths, extensions, sizes, dates, and attributes to reduce large result sets quickly. Users can also enable regular-expression matching for more precise filename patterns. These controls make the program useful when a partial filename alone returns too many similar files or folders.

Feature 4

Content Search

The content search function can inspect data inside files when locating an item by filename is not sufficient. File contents are not stored in the normal filename index, so these searches are slower and work best when combined with path, extension, size, or other filters that reduce the number of files inspected.

Feature 5

Filters and Bookmarks

Built-in and custom filters can restrict results to selected file types or search conditions, while bookmarks preserve useful queries for later reuse. Search history and run history provide additional ways to return to previous searches or frequently opened files, reducing repeated typing during routine file-location tasks.

Feature 6

Preview and Thumbnails

Version 1.4 supports thumbnails and a preview pane for inspecting compatible search results without opening every file in a separate application. Results can also be sorted by indexed properties such as size, date, or attributes. These viewing options make large media, document, and project collections easier to scan visually.

Feature 7

Multi-File Renaming

Multiple selected results can be renamed together from the search interface, allowing users to perform basic organization without navigating back through Windows folders. Because search filters can first isolate a specific group of files, the renaming workflow is useful for correcting related filenames across directories while retaining direct control over the selected items.

Feature 8

Remote and CLI Search

The full 1.4 edition includes HTTP and ETP server capabilities for supported remote-search workflows, while the separate ES command-line interface can query a running local search service from scripts or terminals. These options extend filename lookup beyond the graphical window and support automation or controlled access from other systems.

Old versions

Browse historical releases and previous builds.

1.4.1.10312026-01-22
1.4.1.10302025-11-04
1.4.1.10292025-10-13
1.4.1.10262024-08-01
1.4.1.10242023-05-26

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Everything.

What is Everything used for?

Everything is primarily used to locate Windows files and folders quickly by name, path, extension, size, date, attributes, or other search criteria. It builds an index instead of scanning an entire disk every time a filename search is performed.

Is Everything free to use?

Yes. The official voidtools FAQ describes the application as freeware, and its published license uses MIT-style permission terms. Under the HSWare license mapping supplied for this entry, that license is categorized as Open Source.

Does it search inside files?

Yes. The content search function can search data inside files, but file contents are not included in the normal filename index. Content searches are therefore slower and are best combined with other filters to reduce the number of files that must be scanned.

How does it keep search results updated?

On NTFS volumes, the application monitors filesystem changes and uses the Windows NTFS USN Journal to keep its index synchronized. It can also detect changes that occurred while the program was not running and update its database after it starts.

Can it search network drives?

Yes. Mapped network drives, NAS locations, and other folders can be added through folder indexing. Network locations do not use the same native NTFS indexing method as local NTFS volumes, so indexing behavior and performance can differ depending on the configured source and network connection.

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