simple file (dll) searcher

[spacedad]

I'm looking for an easy way to search my vst plugins folder for .dll's only.
so i just type in 'sam' and all the dlls with 'sam' in show up.
I'm using win7,and a sequencer called energyXT,but my vst folder is too big and is slowing down the program,so I've been searching in win7,then you can drag n drop the dll onto the sequencer,
but win7 search brings up all manner of files (txt,sem,wav etc) too.
I've been trying out various freeware searchers,but can't seem to make them search only for dlls.
they have 'filters' which exclude,but don't include file extentions.
it could be me not grasping the rules.
but a special vstplugin searcher would be cool,it could supply other useful info eg:developer/company name/instrument or effect/number of audio/midi ins and outs.
but a very simple window with a one-click search would be great.

[rjbull]

Here's an example using Nir Sofer's freeware SearchMyFiles, which uses separate windows for parameters and results:

[spacedad]

thanks,i just found that,thank you.
yes the 'wildcard' option works!
where do you put the filename you're searching for?

[IainB]

You might like to look at the Everything (FREE) search tool. It's very simple and straightforward, and fast. I use it all the time, for most of my file searches. (I use xplorer² and Windows Desktop Search when I'm not using Everything.)
Example screenshot:

[attachthumb=#]

[spacedad]

thanks for the help,though i don't want to have to type in '.dll' everytime,only the name of the dll i am searching for.
and only in one location,my vstplugins folder and not to show folders or any other results.
and i need to be able to save that search to taskbar for a one-click search.
i'm finding the options in these apps a bit confusing.

[mouser]

My Find and Run Robot (FARR) tool is perfectly suited for this kind of thing.

You would add a search folder entry pointing to your vstplugins folder(s), specifying that it should only display .dll files, and add a keyword like "vst".

Then to search for a dll in that folder containing "sam" you would hit the hotkey to bring up FARR, and then type "+vst sam" and it would instantly show you all matching dll files with sam in their name.
You could also create a custom hotkey so that as soon as you press it, it would launch FARR with the "+vst " part pre-filled in, showing all vst .dlls and waiting for you to type more to filter.

[spacedad]

thanks,that is working,
is there a way to prevent the folders from showing up in the search,so just the .dll's show?

[spacedad]

when i searched for 'midimon' 'nf_midimon' didn't show up.

[spacedad]

sorry,yes it is finding 'nf_midimon',it was hidden.
had to press pagedown.
now need to figure out how to get all results to show without having to press pagedown,and without showing the folders.

[spacedad]

and that was easily fixed in 'folder browsing' and 'display options' settings.
(sorry to keep answering myself!)
this is a great app,thanks very much! (just donated a small amount)

[mouser]

is there a way to prevent the folders from showing up in the search,so just the .dll's show?

add -\ to the search bar.

you could make a custom hotkey that started your search with "+vst -\ " as I was describing before, HOWEVER in this case the best thing would probably be to create a new regex alias that used the "dosearch" command to do this behind the scenes.

so here's what your alias would look like:

this regex alias will trigger any time you type "v something" and act as if you typed "+vst -\ something"


and here's what your search folder entry would look like:


and here's what an optional custom hotkey would look like that brings up FARR with the "v " already in the search box:

[spacedad]

thanks,i'll try it.

i just unchecked 'show matching folders by default' and turned off other search folders in the list.
so now i can just type name in search and off it goes.

[mouser]

Sure that will work too.  If you ever decide you want to use FARR to search other places (like the start menu), you might refer back to this thread for the easiest way to do so.

[spacedad]

i added a keyword for the searches i may use less often,like startmenu pictures etc.
but i'll mark this thread for the future.
cheers!

[spacedad]

is there any way to make the search window remember it's position?

[mouser]

UN-check this option:

[spacedad]

ah,great thank you!

[rjbull]

yes the 'wildcard' option works!
where do you put the filename you're searching for?

That's where you'd put it, in the Files Wildcard box that I marked in the image.  But I see all is lost; you have been assimilated by FARR of Borg...

[spacedad]

thanks a lot for your help,but yeah,i'm happy now.