file indexing Archives

Winsage

February 27, 2025

Start11 vs OpenShell: Do you really need to pay to customize the Start menu?

The Windows 11 Start menu has received criticism for being rigid and unhelpful, prompting the development of alternatives like Start11 from Stardock and OpenShell. Start11 is a paid option that offers extensive customization with seven distinct Start menu styles, robust organizational features, and the ability to display File Explorer folders directly within the Start menu. It also allows for significant taskbar customization, including color, texture, and positioning options. In contrast, OpenShell focuses on restoring traditional Start menu designs, offering three major style options (Windows 95, XP, or 7) and around a dozen skins. While OpenShell provides granular control over settings, its design options may feel outdated compared to Start11. Start11 is recommended for users seeking a dynamic experience, while OpenShell serves those who prefer a nostalgic interface.

Winsage

September 23, 2024

You can make your Windows search way better with Everything

Everything is a third-party search tool for Windows that indexes every file and folder on a drive, allowing for instantaneous search results. It focuses solely on file and folder names, enhancing speed by continuously updating its index in real-time. Everything is lightweight, consumes minimal system resources, and features a user-friendly interface. A portable version is available, and it reveals hidden files by default. To install Everything, users need to download the appropriate installer, run it, and ensure the "Run Everything" option is checked at the end of the installation. After installation, it automatically indexes all files and folders. Users can configure settings through the Tools menu, including UI customization, enabling search history, and adjusting indexing options. To search using Everything, users can type the name of the file or folder in the search box, specify a location by including the drive or folder in the query, filter by file type using the syntax FILETYPE, and use boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine searches. Wildcards can be used for partial names, and spaces in names should be enclosed in double quotes. The Search menu provides advanced options for further refinement.