Copernic Desktop Search

Plumb the depths of your computer with this powerful search tool.

License Type: Free
Price: Free
Date Added: Oct 2006
Operating Systems: Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP
File Size: 4380KB
Author: Copernic Technologies

Copernic Desktop Search--my favorite (and free) searching tool--has been upgraded. I like it even better than before for a number of reasons. The redesigned interface is cleaner and easier to follow. For example, the different search file categories--e-mail, files, music, images, contacts, Internet Favorites, and History--are better in the new version. I can immediately see exactly how many hits were found in each category. And creating and saving custom searches is blessedly easy. The "as you type" search function is cool, too.

If you're not familiar with CDS, here's a brief rundown.

CDS looks into files--Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint docs, PDFs, and other files, such as e-mail messages (including Eudora), as well as videos and pictures. I can search on specific file types, say Word docs, or for exact words within files. The program uses an index of files on the PC in order to make searches nearly instantaneous; it updates itself while the system is idle.

The last version automatically installed itself to the taskbar at the bottom of my desktop as a new toolbar. I wasn't pleased that it did so without asking, and I promptly removed it. The new version, however, gives you an option. If you inadvertently install the features, right-click any empty portion of the taskbar, highlight Toolbars, and click Copernic Desktop Search.