Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Advanced Recent Access VS SearchMyFiles

Compare Advanced Recent Access VS SearchMyFiles and see what are their differences

Advanced Recent Access logo Advanced Recent Access

Advanced Recent Access is designed to see more properties of your recent used resources (files and directories). Key features: can see more properties of the recent resources, such as path, size, type, date modified and date created. And more.

SearchMyFiles logo SearchMyFiles

Alternative to the standard Search For Files And Folders module of Windows. Duplicates search is also supported.
  • Advanced Recent Access Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-27
  • SearchMyFiles Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25

Advanced Recent Access features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software offers an intuitive and simple interface that makes it easy even for non-technical users to navigate and utilize its features.
  • Quick Access
    Advanced Recent Access provides quick access to recently used files and folders, improving productivity by minimizing the time spent searching for important resources.
  • Detailed Information
    It provides detailed information about each accessed file such as name, size, type, path, etc., which can be useful for managing and organizing files.
  • Small Footprint
    The application is lightweight and does not require significant system resources, allowing it to run smoothly alongside other applications.
  • Customizable
    Users have the option to customize the list view, sorting criteria, and filtering options which enhances the user experience and the application's usefulness.

Possible disadvantages of Advanced Recent Access

  • Limited Functionality
    Compared to more comprehensive file management systems, Advanced Recent Access offers limited features that may not suffice for advanced users with complex needs.
  • Windows-Only
    The software is only available for Windows, limiting its accessibility for users on MacOS or Linux systems.
  • Paid Software
    While there may be a trial version available, the full range of features is only accessible via a paid license, which could be a downside for budget-conscious users.
  • No Cloud Integration
    The application does not offer integration with cloud storage services, which could be seen as a limitation for users who rely heavily on cloud-based workflows.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    Since the application tracks recent access activity, there might be privacy concerns for users who are cautious about software tracking and data collection.

SearchMyFiles features and specs

  • Comprehensive Search
    SearchMyFiles offers detailed search options, allowing you to find files based on various criteria like wildcards, file size, attributes, content, and modified/created/accessed time.
  • Portable
    SearchMyFiles is a portable application, which means it does not require installation and can be run from a USB drive or other external storage devices.
  • Freeware
    The software is completely free to use, with no hidden costs or premium features locked behind a paywall.
  • Advanced Duplicate Search
    It provides an advanced duplicate search feature, allowing users to find and manage duplicate files effectively.
  • Low System Requirements
    The application is lightweight and requires minimal system resources, making it suitable for use on older or less powerful computers.
  • No Background Processes
    SearchMyFiles does not run any background processes when it's not actively being used, which helps conserve system resources.

Possible disadvantages of SearchMyFiles

  • User Interface
    The user interface is quite basic and may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as some modern software, potentially making it harder for less technical users to navigate.
  • No Real-Time Indexing
    Unlike some other search tools, SearchMyFiles does not offer real-time indexing, which means searches may take longer to complete and results are not instantly updated.
  • Limited Support
    As a freeware utility, SearchMyFiles does not come with formal customer support, which may be a drawback for users who need assistance.
  • Manual Updates
    Users have to manually check for and download updates from the NirSoft website, rather than having an automated update feature.
  • Windows Only
    SearchMyFiles is only available for Windows operating systems, which excludes users on macOS or Linux platforms.
  • No Integration with Other Tools
    The software lacks integration with other productivity tools or cloud services, limiting its functionality for users who require such features.

Analysis of SearchMyFiles

Overall verdict

  • SearchMyFiles is generally regarded as a reliable and effective file searching tool. It is especially valued by users who need more advanced search capabilities than those provided by standard operating system tools.

Why this product is good

  • SearchMyFiles is a file search utility developed by NirSoft, known for its lightweight and efficient tools. It offers advanced search functionality such as the ability to search by file content, size, attributes, and even duplicate files. Users appreciate its flexibility and detailed search options, which go beyond the capabilities of the default search features in Windows.

Recommended for

    SearchMyFiles is recommended for power users, IT professionals, and anyone who requires flexible and comprehensive file searching capabilities. It's particularly useful for users who need to search large directories or require specific search criteria such as file content or attributes.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Advanced Recent Access and SearchMyFiles)
File Manager
42 42%
58% 58
Note Taking
47 47%
53% 53
Clipboard Manager
38 38%
62% 62
File Management
49 49%
51% 51

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Advanced Recent Access and SearchMyFiles, you can also consider the following products

dtsearch - dtSearch - The Smart Choice for Text Retrieval since 1991.

DocFetcher - DocFetcher is a portable German/English open source desktop search application.

SMF – Search my Files - SMF - Search my Files v13 is the fastest duplicate files finder and a multi-dimensional - file searcher, - file copier / mover, - file deleter / eraser, - and

Everything by Voidtools - Everything. Locate files and folders by name instantly. Everything. Small installation file. Clean and simple user interface.

Recoll - Recoll is a desktop full-text search tool. Recoll finds keywords inside documents as well as file names.

Agent Ransack - Agent Ransack is a tool for finding files and information on your hard drive fast and efficiently.