Listary - The Perfect Free Windows Search App

After years of using the Everything app to find files, people have found something better. Listary not only searches for files and apps, but also fills the gaps in Windows Explorer so seamlessly that many people can't believe they didn't switch sooner.

Listary provides quick application launch and instant file search

Many people use PowerToys Run to launch apps and Everything to search for files. It's a solid setup, but switching between the two always feels awkward. They've also tried File Explorer alternatives to improve their workflow, but they solve different problems. Listary is a file search app for Windows that combines the benefits of quick app launches and instant file searches into one seamless product.

You'll feel the difference from the first search. Once you install the app, double-tap the Ctrl key and a neat search bar will appear instantly. Start typing and results will appear before you even finish the first word. You can search and launch apps, find files and folders, perform basic arithmetic, and even run system commands - all from one place.

But that's just the quick launcher. Click the Listary icon in the system tray or launch it from the Start menu, and you'll see the full File Search Window  —a more robust interface with filtering options in the left sidebar. Here, you can filter by file type (documents, images, videos, etc.), sort by date modified, or even enable/disable advanced options like searching for rarely used files.

Find everything at the speed of Everything

If you're also making the switch from Everything, you'll appreciate Listary's blazing fast search speeds. Both tools achieve near-instant file searches by reading internal NTFS tables directly—such as the Master File Table (MFT)—rather than having to slowly scan folders or rely on the Windows Search index. But Listary builds on this foundation and builds a much more useful feature.

The File Search window gives you the power of Everything's file search in a more modern, polished look. You can use the filters in the left sidebar to instantly narrow down your results—click once to show only documents, images, or videos. The Recently modified section lets you filter by modification date with a single click for quick access to recent work.

Deep integration with File Explorer and other file management applications

Listary handles File Explorer integration better than Everything. When you're in File Explorer, start typing a folder or file name and Listary's search function will pop up instantly to help you find what you need without interrupting your work.

But the real magic is in Quick Switch. It works seamlessly with every file dialog on Windows. Open the Save As window in any program and you'll see Listary's smart toolbar at the bottom. There's a star icon to mark folders, a clock icon for recent folders, and a drop-down menu that shows your current folder hierarchy.

Custom commands, web search and customization capabilities

Quick launchers like PowerToys Run support web searches and commands, and Listary is no exception. You can set up custom commands for tasks you perform every day. For example, type g (spacebar) pytorch tutorial and press Enter to search Google immediately, or shutdown to shut down your computer.

Once you find a file, the Listary Actions menu lets you do more without leaving the search. With results highlighted, press Ctrl + O or right-click any result to reveal your options: Copy the file path, move to the file's folder, open the file in an editor, run custom scripts, and access all the usual context menu actions.

Built-in commands make everyday tasks faster. Type cmd in any folder to open Command Prompt in that location. Similarly, use mkdir foldername to create a new folder or type filename.txt to create a blank file. Make sure you're in the correct folder when running these commands.

The interface is customizable, too. The free version retains the simple light theme, while Pro users can switch to a polished dark mode that looks great.

Listary is lightweight and free

You can download and start using Listary right away. The free version includes a launcher, file search, Quick Switch, Explorer integration, and basic commands. For most people, that's all you need.

The Pro version costs $19.95 if you want to use it in a commercial environment or need advanced features like network drive indexing, custom filters, and dark mode. But the free version never feels limited or pushes you to upgrade.

Listary is also a relatively lightweight app, even with millions of files indexed. CPU usage is almost zero unless you're searching, and it only takes up about 100MB of memory when the File Search launcher is open.

Lesley Montoya

Update 26 July 2025