DocFetcher 1.1.25

Overview

DocFetcher is an easy-to-handle and lightweight search application for desktop. With DocFetcher, you can find any document on your computer within seconds. Developers name it a ‘Google for your files.’ After testing it, we can say the application is quite powerful; it works fast; it does what it was designed for; it comes free of charge. So, why not try it? You can easily locate documents, videos, music, pictures based on keywords. DocFetcher supports a large number of file formats.

Installation

DocFetcher runs on Windows 32-bit and 64-bit systems, Linux and Mac OS X, and also offers a portable version for users who are always on the go. To install DocFetcher on your computer, you will first need to check if you have a Java Runtime Environment. You can do so by opening command line and typing ‘java-version.’ DocFetcher requires JRE 1.6.0 and higher to install and run. In case you do not have Java, or your version is too old, you can update your JRE here. If you previously had DocFetcher installed, see the full changelog on developer’s website because the latest version significantly differs from its predecessors. The installation is clean from adware, bundles and toolbars.

Interface

When you launch DocFetcher for the first time, we suggest you read first paragraphs of the tutorial that is right there in the main window. It is there specifically for beginners to explain the basics of DocFetcher and how it works. For DocFetcher to be able to start searching for your files, it needs to have an index of your folders. Indexing folders is easy, but it may take some time. Nonetheless, you only need to make it once before you search for files for the first time. The Tutorial guides you through the simple indexing process. When indexing is done, DocFetcher is ready to start finding files for you.

The interface is simple and user-friendly, although if you are unaware of the indexing detail, you may spend some time trying to figure out why the app won’t search until you finally pay attention at the large tutorial section of the main window. This can happen to users who prefer to launch and try things out without tutorials, though.

The main window has a standard and clean layout: text field for keywords, results pane, and preview. On the left pane, you can see the search filters, such as file type, size and folders to scan. There are a couple of buttons: to open the user manual, preferences and to minimize the app to system tray.

Features

DocFetcher offers a portable version; it supports Unicode for a large number of file formats, except CHM; reads zip, 7z, rar and tar, as well as Outlook PST files; supports doc, xls, ppt, docx, xlsx, pptx, docm, xlsm, pptm, odt, ods, odg, odp, ott, ots, otg, otp, pdf, html, xhtml, TXT and other plain text formats, rtf, abw, abw.gz, zabw, chm, mp3 metadata, flac metadata, jpg and jpeg metadata, vsd, svg.

DocFetcher detects HTML pairs; allows customizing text and html file extensions; allows creating folders directly from its interface, and a lot more.

Pros

• The possibility to filter search results by size.
• The option to search files in specific folders and files with specific file extensions.
• The large number of supported file formats.
• You can erase search history on exiting the application.
• You can configure the hotkey.
• It is free and comes clean from adware.
• It does not collect user private data.
• It supports Win, Mac and Linux.
• DocFetcher offers a portable version.
• You can configure it to automatically index updates.
• Convenient preview panel and built-in web browser.

Cons

Does not search for exe files. Author's note: "DocFetcher is capable of filename searches for all files regardless of their extension."

Alternatives

Among alternatives, you may want to check out Agent Ransack, Index Your Files, PowerGREP, SearchMyFiles, and Copernic Desktop Search Home.

Conclusion

DocFetcher allows you to find documents, images and videos in your folders and email in a matter of seconds. The program consumes very few system resources; it work fast and has a quick response time. It did not freeze, crash or offered any annoying pop-ups during our test. On the whole, DocFetcher offers a very constructive and straightforward solution to finding files that may be difficult to locate.