Here’s an overview of the computer application UltraSearch — what it is, how it works, and when/why you might want to use it.
✅ What is UltraSearch
- UltraSearch is a desktop tool for Windows whose main purpose is to help you find files and folders on your drives — much faster and more reliably than the default Windows search. (FileEagle.com)
- It’s developed by JAM Software, and there is a free version (as well as a paid/“Pro” version) — but even the free edition handles basic file‑search tasks well. (JAM Software)
⚙️ How UltraSearch Works — Key Features & Mechanics
- UltraSearch doesn’t rely on background indexing (unlike Windows Search or many other search tools). Instead, it reads directly from the file system’s Master File Table (MFT) on NTFS‑formatted drives — the MFT keeps metadata about all files/folders, letting UltraSearch locate files almost immediately. (TechBloat)
- Because of its MFT-based approach, search results appear in real time, often as soon as you start typing — even on large drives or external storage. (FileEagle.com)
- UltraSearch supports wildcards and regular expressions, so you can search using patterns (e.g.
*.mp3orreport_??.docx) to quickly find groups of files. - You can filter results based on criteria like file type (documents, media, system files), file size, creation/modification date, and more. This helps narrow searches when you have many files.
- The program shows useful metadata in search results: file size, creation/modification/access dates, full path, etc. You can open files directly, copy paths, or use the regular context menu options. (gHacks Technology News)
- UltraSearch allows exporting search results (e.g. to CSV, text, Excel, etc.), which can be useful if you need to catalog, archive, or work with lists of files. (FileEagle.com)
- There is a portable version (no installation needed), which makes it handy for technicians, USB‑use, or quickly running searches on computers where you don’t want to install new software. (FileEagle.com)
👍 What It’s Good For (When You Should Use It)
UltraSearch shines especially when:
- You have large drives (lots of files), or multiple drives — Windows’ built-in search may struggle or become slow, while UltraSearch remains fast.
- You turned off Windows indexing (or use a system where indexing is disabled) — UltraSearch works effectively without any prior index.
- You frequently look for specific file types (e.g. docs, code files, media) using patterns or wildcards.
- You want quick file‑finding: you don’t need to wait, and you want results as soon as you type.
- You need a portable, lightweight tool — e.g. using a USB stick on different PCs, or periodically scanning external disks.
⚠️ Limitations / What UltraSearch Doesn’t Do (Or Where It Might Be Less Convenient)
- UltraSearch only supports NTFS-formatted drives. So if you have drives formatted FAT32, exFAT or other filesystems, it may not work or may have limited support. (TechBloat)
- By default, UltraSearch focuses on file names and metadata. It doesn’t always perform full content‑inside‑file searches (i.e. text inside documents), or such functionality might be limited or available only in more advanced versions.
- It’s a Windows-only tool — so if you use another OS (Linux, macOS), it’s not applicable. (UltraSearch)
🧑💻 Who UltraSearch Is For (Given Your Background)
Since you appear to use a PC, and also have interests in games and probably many files (games, mods, saves, documents, etc.), UltraSearch could be particularly useful for you:
- Helps you quickly locate game files, mod folders, documents, or other resources scattered across drives.
- Speeds up searches when you have many files — no waiting long times for search results.
- Lightweight and likely doesn’t interfere with your games or consume many system resources.
