How can I find images and videos scattered across multiple drives?

QMy image and video files are spread across multiple folders on laptops, desktop PCS and external hard drives. I have been trying to find software that will do a targeted search of my C: drive and any drive attached by USB. I’ve tried using the search tool in Windows 10, but this didn’t find a single JPEG. Can you advise please?

Tony Cronin

AAs you’ve discovered, the Search function built into Windows is notoriously poor, especially at finding images and videos on your hard drive and any connected drives. A much better option is to use the free search tool Everything, which finds files almost instantly on any drive.

Visit www.snipca. com/43810 to download Everything – we recommend the standard Installer version, but there’s also a portable edition and a more basic Lite version. Install and run the program, then click its Search menu and select Picture (see screenshot) to focus on finding images. Enter your search query into the box along the top of the main window and results will immediately appear in the section below, where you can click to open them in your default image viewer. Alternatively, choose Video in the Search menu to look for videos.

Everything will look for files on all the hard drives in your computer, but can also be configured to index and search removable drives that you connect via USB. To do this, click the Tools menu, choose Options then click Folders in the Indexes list on the left. Click the Add button. select your removable drive and click OK then Apply. Everything will index the drive’s contents so they’re included in future searches – click Rescan Now to speed up the indexing process.

Do you need our advice on what software to use? Just email us at letters@computeractive.co.uk