gbSearchSimple is a very minimal-GUI search utility which supports only the three most commonly used search actions. By limiting the search options, gbSearchSimple avoids the complexity of other, feature-laden applications. The three supported searches are:

1. Find any folder whose name contains a specified string
2. Find any file whose name contains a specified string
3. Find any text file which contains a specified string

From a user-selected starting folder, gbSearchSimple generates a list of all subfolders. It then generates a second list, which contains either the list of matching folders or the list of matching files. Searches are case insensitive.

Any listed folder or file may be opened by double-clicking on the folder/file name.

Consistent with its minimal theme, gbSearchSimple does not support Boolean searches, search string wildcards, case sensitive searches, date/size search criteria or line numbers. If you want these features, try out my more powerful search tools - gbSearch and gbSearchLite

Download (v1.0, 87K)

The next image shows the main screen of gbSearchSimple.

Key Features List

• Find folders whose names contains a specified string
• Find files whose names contains a specified string
• Find any file whose name contains a specified string
• Find text files which contain a specified string
• Starting Folder selection dialog
• Generates list of all subfolders
• Generate additional list of matching subfolders
• Search within list of folders from previous search
• Open any listed folder by double-clicking on the folder name
• History of last 5 folders used a starting point for a search
• History of last 5 search strings
• Double-Click history items to use in next search
• Sorted folder/matching folder lists
• User-specified font for folder/matching folder lists
• Splitter bar support to adjust viewing area of folders and matching folders
• Search results saved between sessions
• Search results (folder, matches, time-to-search) displayed in dialog caption
• Online Help

Using gbSearchSimple

To use gbSearchSimple, just specify a search string and a start folder, then press the toolbar Search button. Search results include a list of all subfolders and a separate list of those subfolders whose names contain the search string. You can also search within the folder list from the most recent search.

A starting folder selection dialog is available from the toolbar. Or, the starting folder may be entered manually.

The 5 most recent search strings and starting folders are displayed. Double-click any of the history items to place the item in current search controls.

That's it!

Toolbar

    The following options are available from the toolbar.

• Select
  Opens a folder selection dialog

• Search
  Initiates a new search

• Cancels
  Stops any active search

• Folders
  Finds folders whose names contain the search string

• Files
  Finds files whose names contain the search string

• Text
  Finds text files which contain the search string

• Font
  Opens a font selection dialog

• Search Within
  Searches within the existing list of folders

• Settings
  Opens a dialog for editing the extensions of text files

• Help
  Opens the online Help page

Context Menus

TextBox Controls
The Search String and Start Folder controls are textboxes. They each offer the standard cut/copy/paste/delete content menus.

ListView Controls
The All Folders and Matching Folders controls are listboxes. They each offer the following context menu:

• Clear Search Results
  Remove all entries from both controls
• Use Selected Folder as Start Folder
  Places the selected listbox item in the Start Folder textbox
• Use c:\ As Start Folder
  Places "c:\" in the Start Folder textbox

Keyboard Shortcuts

• F1 - Help
• F3 - Run a search
• Ctrl-F - Open folder selection dialog
• Ctrl-H - Help
• Ctrl-M - Toggle through Folder/File/Text settings
• Ctrl-N - New search (clear both search results lists)
• Ctrl-S - Run a search
• Ctrl-T - Display dialog to set extensions for text files
• Enter - Run a search or open a folder, depending on which control has focus

Other Comments

INI File
gbSearchSimple application settings are saved in an INI file, kept in the same folder as the gbSearchSimple application.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!