FOLDERSIZES TOUR

File System Search

FolderSizes includes a file and folder search utility with many unique and powerful features. For example, use the search tool to find and remove empty folders or create a list of documents that were modified recently. Unlike standard Windows search tools, FolderSizes' search capabilities extend beyond basic filename matching to include advanced criteria such as file attributes, date ranges, ownership information, and even folder-specific properties.

Advanced Search Capabilities

The FolderSizes search utility stands apart from conventional file system search tools by offering capabilities specifically designed for storage management professionals. These advanced features enable you to pinpoint exactly the files and folders you need based on a comprehensive range of criteria that simply aren't available in standard operating system tools.

Multi-Source Searching

FolderSizes searches can be executed against multiple drives, folders, snapshots, and network shares in a single pass. Define and apply multiple search rules to include and exclude precisely what you need. Searches can also be scheduled. This consolidated approach eliminates the need to run separate searches for each storage location, saving time and providing unified results that span your entire storage infrastructure.

The multi-source capability supports:

• Local drives - Search across multiple volumes on the same system
• Network shares - Include remote storage locations in your searches
• Removable media - Extend searches to external drives and other removable storage
• FolderSizes snapshots - Search within previously captured file system snapshots
• Mixed sources - Combine any of these source types in a single search operation

Powerful Rule-Based Filtering

The core strength of FolderSizes' search utility lies in its comprehensive rule-based filtering system. Unlike basic search tools that primarily focus on filenames, FolderSizes allows you to create complex search expressions based on numerous file and folder attributes:

• Name patterns - Search using wildcards, regular expressions, or exact matching
• Date ranges - Filter by creation, modification, or last access dates
• Size criteria - Find files or folders based on size thresholds
• File attributes - Search for hidden, system, compressed, or encrypted objects
• Content patterns - Locate files containing specific text or binary patterns
• Ownership information - Find files belonging to specific users or groups
• Folder-specific attributes - Search for folders based on item counts or depth

These criteria can be combined to create precise search expressions that target exactly the files and folders you need to find. Multiple rules can be defined for a single search operation, allowing for extremely targeted results.

Interactive Results Management

Once a search is complete, FolderSizes provides a rich set of tools for working with the results:

• Sortable grid view - Organize results by any attribute for easier analysis
• Filtering options - Further refine results without running a new search
• Export functionality - Save results in various formats for documentation or sharing
• Direct action tools - Copy, move, delete, or archive items directly from search results

These result management features transform search from a simple discovery tool into a comprehensive file management platform, allowing you to take immediate action based on your findings.

Practical Applications

FolderSizes' search capabilities address a wide range of real-world storage management scenarios:

• Storage cleanup - Identify unnecessary files for removal or archival
• Compliance verification - Ensure adherence to data retention policies
• Security auditing - Locate potentially sensitive files in unauthorized locations
• User activity monitoring - Track recent file modifications across the environment
• Migration planning - Identify content that needs to be migrated to new systems

Enterprise-Ready Performance

FolderSizes' search utility is engineered for performance, even when searching massive file systems:

• Multi-threaded scanning - Leverage modern multi-core processors for faster results
• Progressive result display - View matching items as they're found, without waiting for completion
• Resource-efficient operation - Minimize system impact during searches
• Cancellation support - Safely abort long-running searches when needed

These performance optimizations make FolderSizes suitable for searching everything from individual workstations to enterprise storage systems with millions of files.

Download the free trial today and discover how FolderSizes' powerful search capabilities can transform your approach to storage management, helping you locate and manage files and folders with unprecedented precision and efficiency.