Is it me or is File Explorer Search Feature useless?

It's been years now that I haven't even tried to use File Explorer search feature, since when I tried it many times, it was useless. I tried it again today, trying to find the exe file for process explorer, searching the Program directories. As usual, the progress slider monitor moves to the right, but it grinds to a stop, even after an hour of search.

So now I'm determined to resolve this. Is this feature so useless, or am I doing something wrong? Why can't this search engine search anything out beyond looking in the smallest of directories?

Thanks. I searched on the forum for previous similar posts, but there are thousands of possibilities. On the side, can anyone please tell me where the Procexp.exe file is?

Thomas, thanks. That's a very clever program!

No, it's not just you.

I can't stand the Windows search feature, Cortana, automatic updates, smartscreen...lol don't get me started!

Anyways. I use a little piece of freeware that is really fast, has every option you could think of to search for, including stuff like searching for files that changed between a certain time, etc etc etc.

It's free and does not even need to be installed. Just download and run it:

SearchMyFiles by NirSoft.

Alternative to Windows Search For Files + Duplicates Search

If you are interested, you can download NirLauncher (do a google) which is a little index program for all of NirSoft's free utilities. You can also add all of the Sysinternals utilities (Autoruns is a must) to the loader as well so you have a quick and easy was to access whatever you want. I can help you set this up if needed.

As to the Windows Search process, I have the searchapp.exe and cortana completely removed from my machine. I guess the easy way to do that would be to go to C:\Windows\SystemApps and rename or add the word disabled_ to the beginning of the Windows Package that is titled Windows Search. At least that's what some people consider the easy way. I myself have not done it this way and used a combination of Policy Plus (free Windows 10 Home group policy editor), WinAero tweaker, Blackbird, Autoruns64, and running Task scheduler and/or Services.msc as a trustedinstaller to disable any and all functions that Windows normally doesn't allow you to change. It is the only reliable way to disable automatic updates and cortana as well. For example, all of my update, update orchestrator, uso, update scans, medic (don't forget this one if you are doing this), etc etc. are successfully disabled. And I'm on version 2004, where Microsoft removed most all tried and true methods to disable updates and a lot of other components.

And definitely turn off the indexing service since you aren't using search. That thing can be a resource hog at times and is always running. Rt.click your system drive (probably C:\) and go to Properties. Remove the check mark next to "Allow files on this drive to be indexed...". Hit apply and restart. Do this to all of your drives.

All the programs I listed are free and widely used by system professionals, nor do they require a traditional installation, so they create no bloat whatsoever. Good luck!

Straightup, I'll definitely check out the software. If you're an oldtimer like me, you may remember a DOS program called XTree and XTreePro, which was an amazingly efficient file handler, with the best search feature. I don't understand how MS can be so inept at finally developing even a decent file manager with decent search capabilities. What's wrong with those guys?

What you choose to use for search is up to you (there are so many options), but there is (AFAIK) no 'location' for Process Explorer (by which I assume you mean the SysInternals program) as it is something you download and save yourself wherever you choose. Do you not know where you put it?

mngrhold and xTL, thank you both for your tips. I'll use the start menu more often. I did find procexp using Everything, which was recommended to me previously. It seems like it instantly lists all programs on your drive in alphabetical order, and yes, I had stored the program in a subdirectory of Download years ago, and forgot about it. This is a new computer and I'm still setting up the way I had things in my old computer.

I also erased the indexing feature on C: drive. It took I think hours. Afterwards, File Explorer still seems useable as far as browsing through directories, and I'm no longer interested in using it for Search.

Thanks very much for confirming that it's not "just me," and this thread is very useful.

Tom