good windows search software?

Timur · Post by **Timur** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:44 pm

Microsoft Windows Desktop Search was reported by many users to slowing down their computers. It's well possible that this has been improved with later versions though. At least the indexing processes use a "below normal" priority now. Nevertheless the memory imprint is quite big for machines that come with less than one gigabyte RAM.

This screenshot was done shortly after startup, especially the "searchindexer" will grow in memory imprint by time (current value is 32.380K here). After leaving the computer idle for some minutes "searchfilterhost" and "searchprotocolhost" are removed from memory, but as soon as you save any document (like this image) they will startup again. Here is a screenshot when running idle, have a look at Yahoo's memory imprint underlines in green.

Microsoft's Windows Desktop Search can prohibit other search tools to run properly. Google had some reported problems dealing with Microsoft over this, but that was connected to Vista's indexing slowing down Google Search considerably as far as I remember. Nevertheless there are obvious stability problems when running a third-party search application in conjunction with Windows Desktop Search. This is what happened when saving a PNG to the Desktop with both WDS and Yahoo running, Explorer and WindowsSearch both crashed!

In general I wouldn't trust WDS to be running on XP while I'm doing a live-set.

Moody · Post by **Moody** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:03 pm

Timur wrote:Microsoft Windows Desktop Search was reported by many users to slowing down their computers. It's well possible that this has been improved with later versions though. At least the indexing processes use a "below normal" priority now. Nevertheless the memory imprint is quite big for machines that come with less than one gigabyte RAM.

This screenshot was done shortly after startup, especially the "searchindexer" will grow in memory imprint by time (current value is 32.380K here). After leaving the computer idle for some minutes "searchfilterhost" and "searchprotocolhost" are removed from memory, but as soon as you save any document (like this image) they will startup again. Here is a screenshot when running idle, have a look at Yahoo's memory imprint underlines in green.

Microsoft's Windows Desktop Search can prohibit other search tools to run properly. Google had some reported problems dealing with Microsoft over this, but that was connected to Vista's indexing slowing down Google Search considerably as far as I remember. Nevertheless there are obvious stability problems when running a third-party search application in conjunction with Windows Desktop Search. This is what happened when saving a PNG to the Desktop with both WDS and Yahoo running, Explorer and WindowsSearch both crashed!

In general I wouldn't trust WDS to be running on XP while I'm doing a live-set.

There is a disable feature and all indexing should be disabled while running any type of music or graphic software.

Timur · Post by **Timur** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:00 pm

There is a DEL key and all quoting should be disabled while replying.

There is a disable feature and all indexing should be disabled while running any type of music or graphic software.

But seriously, where do you disable indexing? It does not help to remove the "Index Now" option, WDS will still keep indexing and still run its processes.

forge · Post by **forge** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:05 am

Timur wrote: But seriously, where do you disable indexing? It does not help to remove the "Index Now" option, WDS will still keep indexing and still run its processes.

if I choose the 'snooze indexing' option then the other processes all leave task manager and 'searchindexer' goes down to about 4MB usage

also, 'windows desktop search 3.01" is shown in the 'add/remove programs' - but I didnt try it because I have indexed and dont want to do it again

I think it's ok

Live-Life · Post by **Live-Life** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:33 am

I used to use google desktop search. One of the things i loved is the double control key press to bring up the search box.

Is there something like this in windows desktop search?

forge · Post by **forge** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:48 am

Live-Life wrote:I used to use google desktop search. One of the things i loved is the double control key press to bring up the search box.

Is there something like this in windows desktop search?

what you press ctrl twice?

not working here..

windows key + F works though

TITBAG · Post by **TITBAG** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:57 am

forget everything mentioned above and go for the absolute daddy:

Locate32

http://www.locate32.net/

free, and unbelievably fast. let it index your drives, then search, then piss your pants at the speed

baltazar · Post by **baltazar** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:51 am

I use copernic for years and happy with it.

Timur · Post by **Timur** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:04 am

forge wrote:
Timur wrote: But seriously, where do you disable indexing? It does not help to remove the "Index Now" option, WDS will still keep indexing and still run its processes.
if I choose the 'snooze indexing' option then the other processes all leave task manager and 'searchindexer' goes down to about 4MB usage

also, 'windows desktop search 3.01" is shown in the 'add/remove programs' - but I didnt try it because I have indexed and dont want to do it again

I think it's ok

As far as I can tell that "Snooze Indexing" will still run the indexing in the background while the computer is Idle, but monitor if the computer is busy with something else. If you want to switch indexing off all together you need to get rid of the processes (or maybe switching off the Indexing service does the same).

And you are right that 3.01 comes with a working Deinstallation option now. Horay.

forge · Post by **forge** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:10 am

Timur wrote:
forge wrote:
Timur wrote: But seriously, where do you disable indexing? It does not help to remove the "Index Now" option, WDS will still keep indexing and still run its processes.
if I choose the 'snooze indexing' option then the other processes all leave task manager and 'searchindexer' goes down to about 4MB usage

also, 'windows desktop search 3.01" is shown in the 'add/remove programs' - but I didnt try it because I have indexed and dont want to do it again

I think it's ok
As far as I can tell that "Snooze Indexing" will still run the indexing in the background while the computer is Idle, but monitor if the computer is busy with something else. If you want to switch indexing off all together you need to get rid of the processes (or maybe switching off the Indexing service does the same).

And you are right that 3.01 comes with a working Deinstallation option now. Horay.

well for me when I clicked 'snooze' it got a tick next to it that stays ticked until I untick it and all the processes you highlighted disappeared except for search indexer and that went down to 4MB

anyway, thanks for all the replies, but this will do me for now, I cant be bothered indexing again for another program, and if I find it too slow at any point I'll dig out this thread and try some of the other great suggestions! But it's good enough for now

cheers

Timur · Post by **Timur** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:40 am

Once Ableton has figured out the bugs with Vista you wont need to care about this anymore anyway.

forge · Post by **forge** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:44 am

Timur wrote:Once Ableton has figured out the bugs with Vista you wont need to care about this anymore anyway.

whay's that?

this is for searching for files on my hard drives - particularly when loading old sets

true it would be nice if they added some kind of controllable indexing - like: http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82515

Timur · Post by **Timur** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:58 am

^^^ Cause you can switch back to Vista then and use the inbuild Windows Desktop Search anyway.

Or was it Tarekith who had to switch back from Vista to XP because of Live issues? I still keep mixing you two up when it comes to certain posts. *whistle*

forge · Post by **forge** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:07 am

Timur wrote:^^^ Cause you can switch back to Vista then and use the inbuild Windows Desktop Search anyway. Or was it Tarekith who had to switch back from Vista to XP because of Live issues? I still keep mixing you two up when it comes to certain posts. *whistle*

Oh I see

yeah but I dont think I'll use Vista for audio until I can afford more RAM

also - I noticed the vista inex options dont seem to have as much control - no snooze or 'index now' option - unless I missed it

I'm actually seeing very little reason to move to VIsta right now - I really like the conifigurability of XP and while I'm sure you can do a lot of that with Vista, why bother when you have a good solid setup that works and uses less resources?

forge · Post by **forge** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:09 am

BTW Timur - speaking of configurability - do you know of a way to make it so the menus go on the task bar like a mac? I've been using Object Dock for my shortcuts and I'd like to move the taskbar to the top, but Windows wastes screen space because of that title bar

good windows search software?

Copernic