SoftNexi

Windows · File Management

Everything for Windows

Instant file name search for Windows that indexes NTFS volumes in seconds and returns results as you type.

Updated July 13, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

Everything, by voidtools, searches file and folder names rather than contents, which is why it is effectively instantaneous. It reads the NTFS change journal to build its index, so a full drive is catalogued in seconds and stays current.

Windows Search has improved, but it still indexes selectively and behaves inconsistently on large drives. Everything's tiny footprint and predictable results are the reason it has stayed popular for two decades.

It supports regular expressions, filters by size and date, and can be driven from the command line or an HTTP interface for scripted workflows.

Key features

  • Near-instant file and folder name search as you type
  • NTFS change journal indexing that stays current automatically
  • Regular expression and advanced filter syntax
  • Bookmarks and saved searches
  • Optional HTTP and ETP servers for remote or scripted access
  • Portable build that leaves no installed service behind

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11, Windows 10, and earlier Windows releases
File system
Fastest on NTFS volumes; other file systems use folder indexing
Permissions
Administrator rights to read the NTFS change journal
Memory
Typically tens of megabytes for a large index

How to install Everything

  1. 1. Download the stable build

    Use the 1.4 installer or the portable ZIP from voidtools.com/downloads.

  2. 2. Install as a service

    The default installation runs an indexing service so results are ready immediately after boot.

  3. 3. Confirm your volumes

    Open Tools > Options > Indexes to confirm which drives are included.

How to use it

  1. 1. Filter by extension

    Type something like invoice ext:pdf to restrict results to a file type.

  2. 2. Find large files

    Use size:>500mb to locate the files consuming a drive.

  3. 3. Search one folder

    Prefix a path, for example "C:\Projects\ report", to limit results to a directory tree.

Safety and privacy

  • Download only from voidtools.com; the name makes it a common target for typo-squatting sites.
  • The index is stored locally and never uploaded.
Bundled software
None.
Privacy
Local only by default. The optional HTTP/ETP server is off unless you enable it — leaving it exposed on a network would share your file listing.

Known risks

  • Enabling the built-in HTTP server without authentication would expose file names to your network.
  • It indexes file names, not contents, so it will not find text inside documents in the stable release.

What's new

  • 1.4.x stable with 1.5 alpha

    The 1.4 line is the long-standing stable release; voidtools also publishes a 1.5 alpha with content indexing and interface changes. Prefer the stable build for everyday use.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Results appear faster than you can finish typing
  • Tiny memory and disk footprint
  • Powerful filter syntax
  • Portable build available

Cons

  • Searches names, not file contents, in the stable release
  • Interface is purely functional
  • Windows only
  • Full speed requires NTFS and admin rights

Verdict

Everything is the single most useful free utility we install on a new Windows machine. If you regularly lose files, it solves that problem permanently.

Frequently asked questions

Does Everything slow down my PC?

The index is built from the NTFS change journal rather than by scanning files, so ongoing overhead is very low.

Can it search inside documents?

The stable 1.4 release searches names. Content search is part of the 1.5 alpha line, which is not recommended for production use yet.