Instant file search for Windows. Type, and results appear as you type.
- Fast: searches millions of file names in milliseconds.
- Light: one small
.exe, no installer, no admin rights, no internet. - Always current: new, renamed and deleted files show up automatically.
- Run
Needle.exe. The first scan takes a moment; after that it starts instantly. - Type in the search box.
- Press Enter to open, Ctrl+Enter to show in folder, or right-click for more.
Want it always ready? Turn on View → Run in Background, then press Ctrl+Alt+Space anywhere to show or hide Needle.
| Type | To find |
|---|---|
report 2024 |
names containing both words |
cat | dog |
either word |
!draft |
exclude a word |
*.pdf |
wildcards |
ext:jpg;png |
by extension |
size:>10mb |
by size |
dm:today dm:last7days dm:2024-05 |
by date modified |
docs\invoices |
match inside the folder path |
folder: or file: |
only folders / only files |
regex:^img_\d+ |
regular expression |
Shortcuts: Ctrl+I match case, Ctrl+U match path, Ctrl+R regex, Ctrl+C copy files, Ctrl+Shift+C copy path, F5 rescan.
Use the Index menu to choose which drives or folders are searched.
Needs Rust and the Visual Studio Build Tools.
cargo build --release
The app is target\release\Needle.exe.
Needle reads file names, sizes and dates only, never file contents. It has no network code and never needs administrator rights.
MIT