Copernic Desktop Search 3.5.1
/v3-uk/download-review/1957639/copernic-desktop-search-34026-home
25 Nov 2011, Paul Rowlingson , V3
Verdict
Tool that will enable you to quickly locate files, email and documents across your computer
Review Rating:
Platform: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 7, Windows Vista 64-bit
Manufacturer: Copernic Technologies
Size: 8.1MB
Number of Downloads: 10992
Price: $ Free
Desktop searching has recently become all the rage, and this latest version of Copernic Desktop Search offers many more features than Google Desktop and others.
Once installed, Copernic will ask you which types of content you wish to index (files, emails, contacts, bookmarks, history etc). It will also allow you to specify particular folders to add to the index. Copernic will then index the contents of your hard drive(s), including network drives (if you choose).
Unlike other desktop search tools, Copernic has a pretty wide file support. It can index email from Outlook/Outlook Express, Thunderbird and Eudora, numerous audio and video formats, as well as bookmarks from Netscape, Mozilla (all variations) and IE. It also handles all the standard file formats: .doc, .pdf, .txt, rtf, .ppt etc.
Another neat feature is the preview pane, which lets you preview documents from within Copernic. An embedded player lets you preview audio and video files, and it also has an integrated web browser/search facility.
This is the new v3 and is a major update. The interface has received a small makeover and a number of fixes and other improvements.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Yeah... So it rocks
Have used this for a long time. Only came here to download latest on a new PC. Can save you literally hours of frustration on a "lost" document so do it... ...do it now.
One tip: Set the file paths in the options if you want it to go faster / not index dumb directories and email accounts that have programs and no interesting documents in.
Otherwise just leave the defaults alone.
Basically Copernic is and always has been great.
Posted by JP, 05 Sep 2007
Copernic Desktop search
I've used this application for a while now and find it very useful. One snag, however, is that it continues to "find" deleted files containing the search criteria. This can be frustrating, especially when searching emails, a large proportion of which get deleted. The answer to this is periodically to go to Tools - Options - Advanced - Clear Index and reindex all; which takes a while (I usually do it weekly overnight). Otherwise this is a great free utility.
Posted by Graham, 20 Mar 2008
and another problem shows up to cause me to uninstall
I started using Copernic Desktop Search back with Windows 98. I have installed and uninstalled the program many times. Sooner or later after each time that I installed Copernic enough quirks would appear forcing me to uninstall the program and wait for a time when I might be more receptive to some of its shortcomings.
After writing a short review 24 hours ago concerning Copernic Version 3, I found another feature found in version 3 that was not in version 2 that I do not like:
During the time between first opening the program and typing in a search term, until the time a result is given, you have a flashing advertisement blinking at you trying to entice you to upgrade to the corporate level of the program. The blinking advertisement is large and annoying.
Once again it's time to uninstall Copernic. Maybe I'll reinstall Version 2 - it was a far better behaving program.
Posted by Jack Boyce, 07 Sep 2008
an error in your report and evaluation they removed features
Paul, I believe you made an error concerning Copernic searching network drives. The previous version of Copernic, Version 2, I believe did search network drives. This feature is no longer a part of the free version of Copernic. With Version 3, network search is available only in the Corporate and Professional versions.
Two other features that were present in Copernic 2 were removed from the free version of Copernic 3. One can no longer save searches and searches do not start while you are typing the search term. A search now only starts after you have pressed the enter key.
vnunet.com comment: thanks for the feedback. We don't re-write an entire review every time software is updated, so the first few paragraphs can often refer to the previous edition. We'll make an amend.
Posted by Jack Boyce, 07 Sep 2008
Stop being so damn cheap and just upgrade to CDS Pro!
GEEZZZ why not just support the company that is providing you with great software! It is only $49 bucks and you get updates and upgrades! How do you expect it to get even better if you don't support the company making it.
www.copernic.com
Posted by JL, 11 Sep 2008
Version 2.x was far better
The privious version was far better for the free users. So if you can find it - grab a copy of that. If not. There are other free alternatives to index your files for you. So consider those before jumping to pay $50.
Posted by Bart Johnson, 24 Sep 2008
ADS!
I loved version 2 but version 3 comes with LOUD and annoying BLINKING ads so it is banished from my machine
Posted by Kevin Wilson, 22 Sep 2008
If using the free version of 2.X please do not be fooled into upgrading
I did, and now I am paying for my ignorance. The company has decided to simply lock out great features (eg: "search as you type", and "custom preview pane" and move them into the paid version. This is not an upgrade!!
I would quite happily pay for the professional version if they had simply developed new features to make the upgrade compelling, but this cheap tactic has very much annoyed me!
Posted by Burhan, 01 Oct 2008
Not an Upgrade
Beware - this is certainly not a major upgrade as you state but in fact a downgrade from version 2.3: less features & is now adware. Verify with a simple google search. Bottom line: DON'T 'UPGRADE'!
Posted by Mitch Wilson, 23 Oct 2008
Messes up computer
I had a hard drive crash sometime last year on my Dell Media WinXP O/S. They sent me a new hard drive and I tried to install Copernic; I think it was 3.1, but I'm not sure. It had previously worked marvelously; the one I'd used had no banners. Now, it messes up my computer. I can't get Word to function even when Desktop Search is turned off. I can't get the task manager to function. I can't get the computer to shut down. I can't uninstall Desktop Search except in safe mode. Tech support really tried to help me; they're really excellent about such things. They simply couldn't figure anything out except that I should maybe do something to the registry, but they couldn't give me instructions and I don't touch the registry without knowing what I'm doing. At the same time my other paid Copernic products are working well.
Posted by Marilyn, 04 Mar 2009
Network drives
Network drives are NOT indexed by this version of CDS. A big FAIL if you ask me...
Posted by John, 25 Sep 2009
You mean a downgrade!
Many features in this version were available in the 2x versions. Now they locked features like search on network drives in the paid version. For the rest all is the same with a different layout. Copernic conforimed to me that was teh case. I told them that they do not fair business. First offer a version with complete features and then later fool the consumer and take out the feature and force the consumer to pay. Such a twisted strategy and consumer approach can harm the image of the company. So my advice do not let fool yourself and keep previous version. These are better and more complete than the new ones
Posted by Marc, 17 Mar 2010