There are two basic ways to find files on your Mac. The most common search method is to keep clicking folders open until you find the file you want.
That’s not exactly an efficient method, but it’s common.
Apple found a better way with Spotlight, the built-in search app that indexes files on your Mac, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Sometimes. The problem with Spotlight is that it finds too many files that are not relevant to your search criteria.
That’s where iFileX comes in. This free utility can replace Spotlight for many typical searches.
iFileX searches inside package files, bundles, hidden files and other locations where Spotlight fails.
You can set up complex boolean search criteria, starting with volume, name, size, creation date, and other typical search components including contents, dates and file size.
The interface is mostly self explanatory and works similar to the filters in Mail.
iFileX has a couple of drawbacks. It doesn’t index files on your Mac so it won’t display search results as quickly as Spotlight.
The search results window looks like a Finder window and displays both files and folders which match your search criteria.
It’s unlikely that I’ll ditch Spotlight any time soon, but iFileX deserves a place in my Mac’s Dock because it delivers filtered search results that match my requirements.
Not bad for free, no?
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