Hit a hotkey,
find any file in 0.1s
Can't find a file by name, remember the content but not the filename, or need to open another tool just to check—
one hotkey, and PowerFind handles it all: millisecond search across millions of files, fully offline, privacy-first.
What makes PowerFind different
Most tools force a choice: fast search that can't see file content, or content search that ships your data to the cloud.
PowerFind
Both, and your data stays on your PC.
- Searches filenames and full content (including Chinese text)
- Natural-language Q&A, answered entirely on your machine (Pro)
- File content never leaves this computer
Generic search tools
Fast, but only recognizes filenames.
- Searches filenames only, not content
- No natural-language search
- Data stays local (by default)
Cloud AI assistant tools
Can search content, but that content is usually sent to the cloud too.
- Searches both filenames and content
- Natural-language Q&A is their strength
- Content is often uploaded for cloud processing, even when marketed as "offline"
More than search
Millisecond file search
Reads the NTFS MFT and USN Journal directly. Millions of files, results as you type, changes synced live.
Full-text content search
Can't remember the filename? Search the content instead — text inside documents, code, PDFs and Office files, all searchable, including CJK text as direct substring matching (Free: up to 20 results per search, Pro: unlimited).
AI natural-language search · direct answers
Find files by just describing them ("the contract my boss sent last week"). AI even reads the answer straight out of your files — a phone number, an amount, a date — and cites the source. Runs 100% offline on your PC; nothing is sent to any cloud (Pro).
App launcher
Type a few letters to launch any app or system command. Give your mouse a break.
Clipboard history
Text and image history on call — pin, group, and keep across restarts.
Smart search assistant
Calculator, unit conversion, color codes and quick filters ("pdf last week") right in the search box.
Free vs Pro
Core search is free forever. Want AI to pull the answer straight out of your files, or not be capped on content-search results and clipboard history? Pro is worth a look.
| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Core features · Free forever, no limits | ||
| Blazing file search (MFT) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| App launcher | Included | Included |
| Smart search assistant | Included | Included |
| Interface in 7 languages | Included | Included |
| Pro-only | ||
| AI natural-language search & answers | Not included | Included |
| Personalized ranking | Not included | Included |
| Advanced workflows · Fine on Free, unlimited on Pro | ||
| Full-text content search | Up to 20 results / search | Unlimited |
| Clipboard history | Last 50 entries | Unlimited |
| Snippet manager | Up to 20 | Unlimited |
| Bookmarks | Up to 10 | Unlimited |
| Duplicate file finder | 10,000 files / scan | Unlimited |
| Batch rename | 50 files / batch | Unlimited |
| Support | Community | Priority email |
Pro
14-day money-back · Up to 3 devices · One-time purchase, no subscription
Two things you'll see when installing
Both are expected. Here's why they happen, and how to verify things yourself.
Windows will show a SmartScreen warning
The installer isn't code-signed yet. A certificate costs upwards of US$200 a year, and PowerFind will get one once it pays for itself. Until then you can click "More info" then "Run anyway", or verify the file yourself against the SHA-256 below. If you'd rather not deal with it at all, the portable build usually doesn't trigger the warning.
PowerFind asks for administrator rights
That's exactly what makes it fast: PowerFind reads the NTFS Master File Table directly, getting a whole drive's file list in one go instead of walking folder by folder. Windows requires administrator rights to read a volume directly. PowerFind only ever opens a read-only handle to the volume — it never writes to it.
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Get-FileHash .\PowerFind_portable.zip -Algorithm SHA256
FAQ
Is my file data uploaded anywhere?
No. The index lives entirely on your machine — search runs offline, the free tier needs no account at all, and no telemetry is collected. Only three things use the network: the update check, Pro license sign-in, and the moment you choose to send a bug report. PowerFind never sends your filenames or file contents by itself.
What gets sent when I report a problem?
Only when you press send, and only this: the text you typed, the contact email you optionally filled in, your account email if you are signed in, one identifier derived from this computer and one derived from your network address, the app version, your Windows version, the interface language, whether you are on Free or Pro, and the most recent error log (file names and paths are stripped out first). Those two identifiers exist only to stop flooding; they are processed so they cannot be turned back into your machine or your address, but several reports from the same source can still be linked to one another — so they are pseudonymous, not fully anonymous. All of it is used solely to reproduce and fix the problem you reported, nothing else. It is stored in the database and logs of our backend provider, Supabase, and deleted 90 days after the report is closed — never kept longer than 12 months even if it is not. To have yours deleted sooner, email [email protected] with the report ID (or the contact address you entered).
Is Pro a subscription?
No. Pro is a one-time lifetime purchase with 1 year of free updates — after that you keep using your version forever.
Which systems are supported?
Windows 10 / 11 (x64). NTFS volumes get the full-speed index; other file systems work in compatibility mode.
Does the Free version have ads or a time limit?
Never. Free has no ads, no time limit, and unrestricted core search — only the advanced workflow features have quota caps.
Can I get a refund if I don't like it?
Yes. Pro comes with a 14-day, no-questions-asked refund. Email [email protected] with your order ID and the email you bought with. Once refunded your Pro license is released, but you can keep using the Free version for as long as you like.
How many computers can one license cover? What if I switch machines?
Each Pro license binds up to 3 devices — desktop, laptop, spare, whatever mix. When you switch machines, unbind the old one from your account page to free a slot; unbinding is available once every 30 days.
Why does Windows show a SmartScreen warning?
The installer isn't code-signed yet - a certificate costs upwards of US$200 a year, and PowerFind will get one once it pays for itself. You can click “More info” then “Run anyway”, or verify the file yourself against the SHA-256 published on this site. The portable build usually doesn't trigger the warning.
Why does PowerFind need administrator rights?
Because it reads the NTFS Master File Table directly, getting a whole drive's file list in one go - that's where the millisecond search comes from, and Windows requires administrator rights to read a volume directly. PowerFind only opens a read-only handle to the volume; it never writes to it.
How is PowerFind different from Everything?
Everything is a great filename search tool. PowerFind matches that speed, then adds a launcher, clipboard history, full-text content search and a smart assistant — one hotkey replaces several tools, so you don't have to open another window just to search content or dig through your clipboard.