Listary provides a quick and easy way to search and filter items in Windows, whether its files and folders in Windows explorer or, say, entries in the task manager.
The program provides a convenient searchbox that can be summoned via hotkey in different locations, such as any open folder window in Windows explorer, the windows open/save dialog, the task manager, or even Windows 7 taskbar jumplists, etc. It provides find-as-you-type as well as autocomplete functionality.
A few additional functions are offered in the free version, such quick access to command line mode (via the searchbox) and, more interestingly, the option to edit text anywhere with your favorite text editor.
To get idea of what this program does and feels like check out the screenshots above. In theory, the Listary search box can be invoked anywhere, such as in any folder window you may working with. I have found, however, that it tends to be very unresponsive in open/save dialogs on my Windows 7 machine. Typically, a (customizable) shortcut (Win+W by default) will invoke the searchbox, or, alternately, simply pressing a button on the keyboard will do it in some situations.
The searchbox supports both find-as-you-type and autocomplete. It can be especially useful in Windows XP, but honestly in Windows 7 and Vista (which provide a searchbox and filtering in folders) it may be somewhat unnecessary. I will say, however, that Listary provides a very good user experience that might well be preferable to filtering via Windows search. Especially considering its light footprint (approx 10 megs in memory).
Edit text with your favorite text editor anywhere: worth mentioning, as well, is Listary’s unique functionality allowing you to use your favorite text editor anywhere. For example, you may be editing an email using your favorite web mail service; instead of typing it in your browser you can press Win+A and the entire text in the form you are using will be transported to your favorite editor (where presumably you can take advantage of any advanced functionality that may be there), then exit out of it when you’re done and have the text transported back.
Quite innovative, but after playing with it for a bit I think it may be of limited usefulness (I simply don’t see the need really).
Differences between free and paid versions: a few differences, most notably the ability to set favorite folders and access them via the searchbox in the paid version.
The verdict: all in all an interesting app. It provides very nice functionality and a good user experience; however, it would have been much more useful if it actually worked in Windows’ open/save dialogs as well, which it didn’t for me.
Try it out and let me know your impression in the comments section.
[Thanks to reader Patrick for calling this program to my attention!]
Version Tested: 2.0.0.169
Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 (64 bit supported).
Go to the program home page to download the latest version (approx 999K).
Filtering feature seemed like a nice idea but I’ve gone back to StExBar – older app but the permanent explorer integration in the form of a toolbar worked better for me than the hotkeys. Filter box works brilliantly plus has a number of other nifty features
To make it work in file Open/Save dialogs you just need to click the file list and start typing. The hot key doesn’t seem to work somehow if you use it in a 32-bit program on 64-bit Windows.
Forget about the hot key anyway. If a list has input focus, just type whatever you want.
Hello everyone, I’m the developer of Listary.
@ Samer
Thank you so much for this post and pointing out the bug in open/save dialogs. It has been fixed now.
@Moose
You don’t need to press any hot key to make Listary work in Explorers. Just open Explorer and type what you need
In fact, you don’t need the hot key (Win + W) in most situations. You can simply start typing the keyword as long as the list (file list or any other list) has focus even if Listary hasn’t shown up yet. The hot key is mainly for open/save dialogs because the default focus is on “File name” field instead of the file list.
@Patrick
Thank you for helping spread the word!
Please don’t hesitate to contact with me at support#listary.com if you have any questions or suggestions!
@Channing: Thanks for such a great software
A great software by a Great developer