Desktop search is one of the important things to be considered in any operating system. The search tool that comes with the operating systems has some limitations. So there are many third party desktop search applications that allow you to overcome such limitations and allow you to search for the files and folders quickly.

These desktop search tools will create an index database such that when you search for a file it can be retrieved quickly and easily. They also assist you in finding emails, attachments and perform many other functions. You can also use these applications to organize files without the need of moving the original file from its location on the disk.

Here are some of the best desktop search applications compared to give you a quick overview about the applications.

Search Application/ Properties	Google Desktop	Windows Search	Yahoo! Desktop Search	InSight
Price	Free	Free	Free	Free
Operating System	Windows, Mac and Linux	Windows	Windows	Windows
File Indexing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Email Indexing	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Quick Find	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Image Search	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Gadget or plug-ins support	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Browser Support	Yes	Yes	No	No
Network Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Advanced Search Options	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Archive file type support	Yes	Yes	Yes	NA
Special Features	Sidebar holds number of gadgets which increases its functionality. You can choose to search in hidden files and folders.	Easily manage search items. Features one click move, copy, burn or delete functionality	Patented feature fast as you type search. Searches for emails, attachments and online archived files	Refine search system. Faster file search and support for Wikipedia. Preview search items easily

Google Desktop

This is one of the most comprehensive desktop search utility with support for plug-ins and gadgets. You can integrate your Google account with this application and use many of the Google services in this application. It will create an index of the all the files and folders on your local disks and also computers on your network such that you can search for a file or folder quickly. As it is freeware and supports multi-platform it is one of the most recommended desktop search application.

Windows Search

This application is a windows only application and it looks and feels the same. It will automatically create an index file about all the files and folders on your computer and allows you to search for the files quickly. The interesting feature about this application is you can copy, move, delete or burn the file directly with one click. Using the advanced search options you can narrow down the search to locate a particular file on your computer.

Yahoo! Desktop search

This is presently known as X1 Professional Client. This is one another excellent desktop search applications to use free trial version of this software is available. It is one of a kind search application with patented fast as you type^TM search will allow you to see the search items as you type. It will also search the emails and has support for various email clients like Thunderbird, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Exchange, etc.

Insight

This is a Windows only desktop application that runs on .NET framework. It is a light and powerful desktop search application that allows you to find the files and folders using basic information like file name, extension, etc., and displays the results dynamically. Using this tool you can also search Wikipedia directly and also easily find the MP3 files based on ID3 tag information. You can see the preview of the search items when you hover the mouse pointer over any of the search item.

Search Application/ Properties	Copernic Desktop	Snowbird	Easyfind	Spotlight
Price	Free	Free	Free	Proprietary
Operating System	Windows	Windows	Mac	Mac
File Indexing	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Email Indexing	Yes	No	No	Yes
Quick Find	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Image Search	Yes	NA	NA	Yes
Gadget or plug-ins support	No	No	No	No
Browser Support	Yes	No	No	NA
Network Support	Yes	No	No	Yes
Advanced Search Options	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Archive file type support	Yes	NA	Yes	No
Special Features	Save searches. Preview the search items instantly. Indexes both local and network drives	Portable application light and easy user interface. Performances search quickly.	Does not require indexing. Searches in hidden files and folders and packages	Support for iPhone. Delivers quick search results using the metadata indexing. Organize your files using spotlight easily

Copernic Desktop

There are three versions of Copernic Desktop are available which are Home, Professional and Corporate. Home version is free to use for non commercial purpose and it provides basic search functionalities. It creates index file like that of other applications which makes it safe to use and helps you search for the files quickly. Using this application you can also search hidden files and folders and even in packaged files like ZIP, RAR, etc., easily. It will index the files only by using the idle system resources such that you can work on any application without any interruption from this application.

Snowbird

This is one the lightest and portable desktop search applications which can allow you to search files and folders on your computer just like any other desktop search application. There is even no need to install this application on your computer and you can carry this application on your pen drive. It will quickly finishes indexing files and folders and stores the index file on the disk which it will use to bring the search items according to your given keyword. The user interface is simple and looks like just any other windows application.

EasyFind

This is a free search application for Mac OS X users which can perform better than Spotlight in some areas. It does not require file indexing which makes it safe to use as no trace of your private and confidential information is stored on the computer. It can bring back the search results quickly and it can search inside hidden files and folders which Spotlight cannot.

Spotlight

While Easyfind wins in some areas, Spotlight leads in terms of functions and features. It creates index of all files and folders and even emails inside the email clients such that you can find the files easily. Using this application you can create smart folders which allow you to organize similar kind of files in one place. You need not move or copy the original files on the disk to include them in the smart folders. By this way you can effectively organize all your files easily. You can also search for the files based on the metadata of the file.