Can I search my entire computer reliably?

[Rastaman]

Hi -

Is there an MS add-on or even a free 3rd party search tool?

I just want a simple, basic search tool that will search all local hard
drives for a file. (like search on XP) - Preferably without indexing
anything - I don't mind having to wait a little longer because I don't
frequently use search, but when I do need to use it, I need to know to that
it is looking EVERYWHERE on my machine.

And I need to feel confident that if search tells me "0 files found" then
the file is not on my computer. Search on Vista cannot do this (Or I can't
figure out how to make Vista do this)

Any suggestions?

 

[deebs]

If it is an image file: use Picassa2

I had some similar difficulties but there seem to be so many search
options in Vista I forget the one I used (some routes worked, others did
not)

 

[Alan Simpson]

In build 5472 click Start, choose Search, click Advanced Search tools, and
click Local Hard Drives under Location. Then do the search normally. It
should cover everything because it won't use the Index for that sort of
search.

 

[Alan Simpson]

I forgot one thing. If it doesn't seem to find what you're looking for,
click Search Options above the Search Results and choose options the
thoroughly search and to include system directories and archives. I haven't
totally tested it, but it seems to be working OK. (At least, better than it
did in earlier builds ;-)