Agent Ransack

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated July 3, 2017)

Agent Ransack is a fast search utility that lets you search through folders and files for strings you specify. There are at least two major features that make Agent Ransack a much better search engine than, say, Windows search. For one thing, you can specify multiple folder trees that are to be searched. For another thing, the searching is very fast.

Here is what Agent Ransack looks like when I first bring it up. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Agent Ransack's main screen.

Since it remembers your preferences from one session to the next, oftentimes the only thing you'll need to type in is the text you want to find. Agent Ransack will then quickly go through the folders and subfolders you've entered (if so indicated), looking for the specified text. In the left pane, it lists the files in which the text occurs. Clicking on a file shows the line(s) in the right pane that contain the text. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Previewing found lines.

If you double-click a file in the left pane, that file will open and you'll have full access to it.

You can also configure Agent Ransack to look for regular expressions (either in the file name and/or the search string itself), filter files by size and/or time, and other parameters.

Agent Ransack is a free download available at this site:

https://mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

 This tip (13058) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Viewing Event Logs

Event logs are automatically maintained by the operating system. By periodically viewing them, you'll have a better idea ...

Discover More

Determining if You Have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows

There are occasions when you may want to know whether you're running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. This tip ...

Discover More

Restoring Send To Desktop (Create Shortcut)

Sometimes the "Send to | Desktop (create shortcut)" option disappears, or perhaps it was never there in the first place. ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Setting Data Usage Limits

Windows 10 allows you to set Data Usage limits for your computer. This is helpful when your computer has a metered ...

Discover More

Available RAM Slots

Upgrading the memory on your Windows 10 computer can be helpful in improving sluggishness. Determining the number of ...

Discover More

Lock Your Computer With Your Phone

Sometimes you have to get up quickly from your computer before you have time to lock it. With a paired phone and Dynamic ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 6?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips