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Comparisons · Windows Search / Everything

Windows Search vs Everything: Content Search and File-name Search

Windows Search looks for apps, settings, and files, and also indexes text in configuration locations. Everything indexes names and tracks NTFS updates by default.

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Windows Search vs Everything: Content Search and File-name Search overview: Comparison criteria, Choosing for your situation, First steps to try, Operational notes
An overview of this guide’s steps and checks, not a screenshot of the app.

Who this guide is for and what to prepare

  • People who want to know the difference between Windows Search / Everything
  • People who want to start with a small, safe test

What you need

  • Make a test copy leaving the original data
  • Check the compatibility conditions and storage location of the destination

Comparison criteria

Windows Search looks for apps, settings, and files, and also indexes text in configuration locations. Everything indexes names and tracks NTFS updates by default.

Scroll horizontally to see the full table →

Comparison criteria
standardWindows SearchEverything
good atApp/Settings/Textname/pass
introductionstandardadditional apps
ContentIndex targetcontent:Separate processing

Choosing for your situation

Windows Search for app startup, settings, and text. A mass search that lets you know the name, extension, and save path is Everything. Non-NTFS etc. require target confirmation.

If the word invoice is in the file name, you can use Everything to quickly narrow down the search across storage locations. If you are looking for a business partner name that is only in the main text, you will need to use Windows content indexing or narrow the scope of content: search. OneDrive's online-only files may have names that are visible but the text may not be locally available. Network shares and non-NTFS media are also not the same as standard NTFS indexes, so check targeting and permissions.

First steps to try

Search for known PDFs by both name and text language. In Everything, add ext:pdf and the parent folder, open the resulting path and check the entity.

  1. Enter part of a known PDF name into Start Search and Explorer Search
  2. Check the search scope and exclusions in Windows [Privacy and Security] → [Windows Search]
  3. Enter the same name in Everything and add ext:pdf and parent folder condition
  4. Try words that are only in the main text individually with Windows Search and content: in Everything
  5. Right-click the Everything result and select Open Path to match the entity.

Operational notes

If not found, check exclusions, index targets, online only, and permissions. Deleting it from the results will affect the original file.

Limitations and requirements

  • Everything's standard name search does not search the file body
  • Deletion extends to the original file

Frequently asked questions

What about network sharing?

Try a small folder index.

No new files?

Check index targets and retention status.

Official sources and verification date

Sources checked: . Check the official sources below for changes to supported systems, plans and menus.

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