quicksearch

Less digging.
More doing.

Know the file name, not the file location? Windows Search letting you down? Let's clear that up. Search for lost files rapidly and efficiently with QuickSearch!

Still in development. QuickSearch is actively being worked on, so bugs and rough edges should be expected.

Quick Search

Screenshot coming soon

Overview

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Finding a file shouldn't
be the hard part.

Animated comparison showing Windows Search still searching while QuickSearch finds the same file instantly.

QuickSearch started with a simple frustration which is very easily displayed (and solved) on the gif to the left. Lets say I have a file called "found it!.txt". I know it exists but I cant remember where I placed it! As seen in the gif, after 30 seconds my file is still not found via Windows search! However, QuickSearch finds it in milliseconds. The scope only expanded from there. Faster and less resource extensive search results, filtering, better UI, etc, etc.

Not every search needs the same setup either. Most of the time I just want to type a file name and find it, but Windows also collects a lot of system files, caches, build output, and other junk that I usually do not care about. Filters make it easy to cut that noise out or focus a search on a specific set of folders and extensions. Profiles take that a step further by saving those setups, so I can quickly swap between a normal everyday search, development files, work folders, photos, or whatever else needs its own rules without rebuilding everything each time.

In its current form, QuickSearch is optimized to return results in milliseconds while keeping RAM allocation and CPU usage low. When it isn't being used, resource usage stays minimal. A core tenet of the application is simple: quick, accurate results without the heavy overhead. Its future goal has expanded beyond just a simple search as well. The hope is to create a full fledged file brower with many options and actions, while holding true to the tenents stated above. Oh and maybe getting the quicksearch.com domain, that would be sick.

QuickSearch is still in active development, so it can and will have issues. There are still rough edges I have not found yet, and new features may need some tuning after they are added. I'm doing what I can to improve the tool as often as I can and fix problems as they show up. If you find any bugs or want to request a feature, please click here.

User guide

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Directory browsing
made easy

QuickSearch is built to be easy to use whether you stay on the keyboard or use the mouse. Arrow keys can move through results and controls, most buttons have shortcuts, and Profiles make swapping between different kinds of searches quick. The search itself is fast, but Windows PCs collect plenty of system files, caches, build output, and extensions you may not care about. Search filters cut that noise down, and Profiles let you save those setups instead of rebuilding them every time.

Quick use guide

  1. Set QuickSearch to launch with Windows when you first install the program (or do it in the settings) so quick search is ready always when you need it. This adds zero to minimal startup time or resource usage (when idle).
  2. Press AltthenAlt to bring up search.
  3. Type a file or folder name.
  4. Use ↓ or the mouse to select a result. Press Enter or double-click to open it, or press → / right-click for more actions.

That's all it takes to find and open a file. Most controls can still be reached without leaving the keyboard: Alt + ↑/↓ moves through results by the visible page, and Alt + ←/→ moves through search history. If the results feel crowded, remove folders or extensions you rarely need and save the setup as a Profile. Press Alt Alt again to hide QuickSearch in the background, where it uses minimal resources while waiting for your next search.

Result actions

Work with a result without leaving QuickSearch or digging through File Explorer first.

Open Select a result and press →, or right-click it, to open Actions. Enter still opens the result directly.
File work Open the parent folder, Copy, Cut, Paste, Create, or Delete without leaving the result list.
Peek Preview a file or browse a folder with Peek, or jump one level up with Peek Parent.
Add to filters Send a result's folder or extension straight to Search filters, then choose whether it should be included or excluded.
Favorite Add the result to Favorites from the same Actions menu so files or folders you return to often stay easy to reach.

Search filters

Control what is allowed into the result list and remove the noise you do not want to see.

Open Alt + S opens Extensions, Folders, and Other. Filter changes apply immediately.
Rules Allow only selected folders or extensions, or block the ones you do not want. Exclude wins if both rules match.
Add to Press →, choose Add to, then include or exclude that result's extension or folder directly.
Favorites Star folders or extensions you reuse often. Filter favorites are shortcuts and stay separate from active rules.
Other Alt + B cycles the search target. You can also set descendants and Created/Modified date ranges.

Profiles

Save a complete search and visual setup, then reapply it when you need that kind of search again.

Open Click the QuickSearch logo, or press ← when the caret is at the start of the search field.
Save / Apply Save as stores the current setup. Press Enter or click to apply it; Update, Rename, and Delete manage saved profiles.
Saved state Include/exclude rules, target, descendants, date bounds, path depth, dates, sorting, Favorites visibility, and the status bar.
Use case Keep a clean everyday search, then separate profiles for work, photos, development, or anything that needs different rules.

View & settings

Choose how results look and which defaults QuickSearch should keep between launches.

Visual Alt + V opens Favorites visibility, path length, sorting, Created/Modified dates, and the status bar.
Quick sort Alt + O opens sort options directly. Alt + F shows or hides Favorites.
Settings Alt + C opens Settings for theme, startup size, history, default target, path limits, filters, and general behavior.
Shortcuts Most application and result-navigation shortcuts can be rebound to fit your workflow.

Backend logic

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How QuickSearch
stays fast.

A quick look at how QuickSearch turns what you type into results. It keeps a compact catalog of file and folder names on your PC, then searches that catalog without opening every document to read its contents.

  1. On launch

    Load

    Build a file list the first time. On later launches, reuse the saved list and catch up on changes made while QuickSearch was closed.

    First launch Build the catalog Next launch Load + catch up
    How it startsClose details

    A ready-made directory. On the selected NTFS drive, QuickSearch reads Windows' file records, known as the Master File Table. It collects names and parent-folder links to build its own catalog.

    Pick up where it left off. A saved snapshot can be brought up to date using the USN journal, Windows' record of file changes. If that snapshot cannot be safely reused, QuickSearch builds a fresh catalog.

  2. Before searching

    Prepare

    Build lookup lists for pieces of names and file extensions. Like an index at the back of a book, they point toward possible matches.

    Pieces of report repepoporort
    Inside the indexClose details

    Small pieces, useful shortcuts. The overlapping pieces above are called trigrams. Each points to a list of names containing it. A separate extension index handles exact extension searches such as ext:pdf.

    Reuse the preparation. These lookup lists are cached too. Valid caches can use memory mapping, which lets Windows bring parts into memory as needed. QuickSearch checks those parts as they are used and can rebuild unusable caches from the catalog.

  3. As you type

    Match

    Short queries scan the names directly. Longer queries use the lookup lists to narrow the candidates, then check for the complete text you entered.

    Search: report annual-report.pdf
    Choosing a search pathClose details

    Check fewer names. For longer queries, QuickSearch starts with the least common trigram. It can combine two candidate lists when that is likely to cut the work further. A final text check confirms each match.

    Use the right amount of work. Short queries have specialized scans. Supported CPUs use AVX2 instructions to check several bytes at once. Larger searches can share work across reusable search threads; small candidate lists are handled directly.

    By default, the text must occur in the file or folder's own name. Including children of matching folders is an optional setting.

  4. In your results

    Display

    Apply your file, folder, and extension filters. Draw the visible rows and build their paths when needed, keeping a long list of results manageable.

    annual-report.pdfC:\Work\Reports
    Keeping the list lightClose details

    Reuse result references. The result buffer stores references to catalog entries. The virtual list draws the rows you can see, rather than creating a separate text item for every match.

    Sort without holding up typing. Date ordering runs separately on a background worker. Only an ordering for the current results is applied, so an older search cannot replace a newer one.

Kept current between searches.Windows records file changes. QuickSearch uses that log to update its catalog, ready for the next search. How it stays readyClose details

Follow the changes. While running, QuickSearch checks the journal periodically and before a search. Creates, renames, moves, and deletions update the catalog. Small batches can update the lookup lists in place; larger or unsuitable batches rebuild them.

Reuse what is ready. The catalog stays loaded while the app runs in the background, and search workers wait for work. After changes settle, background maintenance saves updated caches and can release temporary writable index storage. This avoids repeating the full setup each time you open search.

Contact me

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A little help.
A long way.

Get a hand with QuickSearch.
Or lend one to the project.Or just message me if you're bored :)

Get a hand.

Questions, feedback, or something not working as expected? Got a feature request?