Windows 7 Search Using Locate32

"Search" is a basic function of an operating system that should work perfectly each time it's invoked. It worked in Windows XP, but for some reason, it is not error-free in Windows (do a Google search of "Windows 7 search does not work"). Until it's fixed in Windows 7, there is a third party program called Locate32 that has received very positive reviews and seems to work well. If search is important to your work, I recommend it.

Installation
  1. Copy P:\Apps\Locate32\locate32-3.0.7.7010.exe to C:\Temp. Right-click the exe and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR. The program installs to C:\Program Files\Locate\.
  2. Create a shortcut to Locate32: right-click a bare spot on the desktop → New → Shortcut → browse to C:\Program Files\Locate\Locate32.exe. Click NEXT.

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  3. Click FINISH.

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  4. Click the LOCATE32.EXE shortcut on your desktop. By default, Locate32 will only index files on C:. To index your files on U:, click Options → Settings.

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  5. Click DATABASES.

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  6. Highlight DEFAULT and click EDIT.

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  7. In the INCLUDE section, check CUSTOM, then check the box to the left of U:. Click OK.

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Running Locate32
  1. Double-click LOCATE32.EXE on your desktop.

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  2. You need to update the index database before you can search. Click FILE → UPDATE DATABASES.

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  3. While the index database is being built, you'll see a progress window in the lower right corner of your screen. When it's done, Locate32 is ready to search. You should always update the database before you search -- it only takes seconds.

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  4. Locate32 will now function like the Search function in Windows XP.

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-Scott Smith
10/28/2010