Tired of Windows 11 Search? These 2 Free Tools Will Change Everything

Frustrated with Windows 11’s built-in search? Can’t find the files you’re looking for? Or worse getting ads instead of useful results? You’re not alone.

While Windows 11 has introduced many improvements over Windows 10, the Search function still falls short especially when compared to macOS’s Spotlight. But the good news is: you don’t have to settle for it.

Windows Search

In this guide, I’ll show you how to dramatically improve your Windows search experience using two lightweight tools:

1. Everything
2. Flow Launcher

Everything: Search Your Entire Computer in Seconds

As the name suggests, Everything lets you search for everything on your computer. This lightweight software indexes your entire system upon installation, making searches lightning-fast. While its user interface isn’t modern, its functionality is unmatched. Simply type your search term, and if it exists on your device, Everything will find it instantly!

Everything

Flow Launcher: A Modern, Customizable Search Solution

If you love Everything but want a sleek, modern interface, Flow Launcher is the perfect companion. This lightweight tool searches both your device and the web, offering a customizable experience with a Plugin Store for added features. Pair it with Everything for the ultimate search setup.

Flow Launcher Search Bar

How to Install Everything

Getting Everything up and running is a breeze. First, head over to their Official Site and download the installer. Once downloaded, simply run the installer and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions. That's it – you're done!

With Everything installed, you'll immediately notice a significant improvement in how quickly you can locate files on your computer.

How to Install Flow Launcher

Installing Flow Launcher is just as simple. Visit their Official Site and grab the installer. After the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts. In no time, Flow Launcher will be ready to go!

Integrating Everything with Flow Launcher: Unleash the Combined Power!

Here's how to seamlessly combine the indexing prowess of Everything with the modern interface and features of Flow Launcher:

1. Look for the Flow Launcher icon in your System Tray (usually in the bottom right corner of your screen).

   

   System Tray

   
   
2. Right-click on the Flow Launcher icon and select Settings.
   
   
   
3. In the Flow Launcher Settings window, navigate to the Plugins section.
4. Search for "Explorer" within the plugins list and select it.

   

   Flow Launcher Plugins

   
   
5. Locate the "Index Search Engine" option and change the dropdown from "Windows Index" to "Everything".
   
   
   
6. That's all there is to it!

Now you can enjoy the lightning-fast indexing capabilities of Everything wrapped in the modern and customizable design of Flow Launcher. Explore the Plugin Store to further enhance your experience with additional features if you desire.

Important Note: If you're already a PowerToys user, be aware that its PowerToys Run feature might be active. By default, it uses the same ALT + SPACE hotkey as Flow Launcher, which could lead to conflicts. To avoid this, you might want to disable PowerToys Run or change the hotkey for either application. I personally prefer to deactivate PowerToys Run when using Flow Launcher and ensure Flow Launcher's hotkey is set to ALT + SPACE (though you can customize this to your preference!).

PowerToys Run

Give these two fantastic tools a try and say goodbye to frustrating Windows searches! Let me know in the comments below which combination works best for you and if you discover any other cool plugins for Flow Launcher!