Desktop Search Tools

[MWE]

I am running WinXP/Pro and MS Office 2003. My Outlook configuration i
a bit unusual in that I have multiple profiles and in addition to ps
file(s) dedicated to a particular profile, I also have a pst file tha
is shared among several profiles.

I am evaluating Desk Top Search tools that will work well with Outloo
pst files. So far I have looked at:

- search tool integrated into WinXP
- Windows Search 4
- Aim at File
- FSA (File Search Assistant)
- Google Desktop Search
- Copernic
- X1

All of these tools do a decent job on text files. Unfortunately, al
have some difficulties with Outlook pst files:
Both 1 and 2 use the file indexing service built into the opsys so fil
interrogation should be the same. Although both claim to handle M
Office files, neither seems able to look inside pst files. Rather the
seem to rely on the user having saved key items as .msg or .html files


3, 4 and 5 similarly have no ability to look inside pst files

Copernic can scan/index inside pst files. The HELP information on ho
this is done is confusing and, based on my testing, incorrect.
Copernic’s support staff parrot’s HELP information. I have found a wa
around the problems I encountered with multiple profiles and shared ps
files. Copernic’s only drawback (so far) is its inability to loo
inside Access files. I have found a workaround but would prefer a too
that could handle Access too.

X1 is able to handle multiple profiles but not pst files shared amon
several profiles. It crerates multiple entries for each instance of
shared pst file, so if you are sharing A.pst among 3 profiles, you en
up with 3 copies of contact, calendar and task info. Strangely, mai
items are not replicated. However, since X1 handles mail items
calendar items, contact items and task items separately, that ma
explain the observed behavior. Information on how X1 handles pst file
(from X1’s help and X1’s support staff) does not agree with my testing.
The Copernic workaround does not work with X1.

Questions:

- Has anyone a desktop search tool that does a good job with Outlook
- Is anyone using X1 as a desktop search tool? If so, do you hav
multiple profiles? Do you share any pst files among the profiles?


Thank

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

- Has anyone a desktop search tool that does a good job with Outlook

Many people find Lookeen (http://www.lookeen.com) works well.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Windows Desktop Search most certainly supports indexing pst-files. Google
Desktop and Copernic can do it as well. However, they can only index Outlook
when Outlook is running as only Outlook can read pst-files and/or access the
Exchange server. So, in order to build the initial index, leave Outlook
running overnight.



-----

 

[MWE]

- Has anyone a desktop search tool that does a good job with Outlook

Many people find Lookeen (http://www.lookeen.com) works well.

Lookeen is an Outlook search tool, not a general (multiple file types
search tool that does a good job with Outlook

 

[MWE]

;80818']Windows Desktop Search most certainly supports indexin
pst-files. Google
Desktop and Copernic can do it as well. However, they can only inde
Outlook
when Outlook is running as only Outlook can read pst-files and/o
access the
Exchange server. So, in order to build the initial index, leav
Outlook
running overnight.



Thanks for the reply. I have heard that Window Desktop Search an

Windows Search 4.0 (WS4) are supposed to index inside pst file
(although I can find nothing on the MS web site verifying that), but
have not be able to get that to happen. I have installed, uninstalle
and reinstalled WS4 several times. I have tried installing WS4 wit
Outlook closed, with Outlook open (and tried several different Outloo
profiles open), but WS4 has never indexed anything inside a pst file.
The indexing targets includes several drives, but nothing about Outloo
or any profile. I have allowed WS4 to run for at least 24 hours just i
case it takes some time to "find" Outlook, but it never did

 

[MWE]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard that Window Desktop Search an
Windows Search 4.0 (WS4) are supposed to index inside pst file
(although I can find nothing on the MS web site verifying that), but
have not be able to get that to happen. I have installed, uninstalle
and reinstalled WS4 several times. I have tried installing WS4 wit
Outlook closed, with Outlook open (and tried several different Outloo
profiles open), but WS4 has never indexed anything inside a pst file.
The indexing targets includes several drives, but nothing about Outloo
or any profile. I have allowed WS4 to run for at least 24 hours fo
each test just in case it takes some time to "find" Outlook, but i
never did

Update: Well, after writing the above, I decided to try again with
clean Registry (who knows). I removed WS4, rebooted, ran a registr
cleaner, removed Outlook Express (I do not use it anyway and it WA
showing up in the Included Locations), ran scanpst on all pst file
(just in case), opened Outlook and installed WS4 again. Still n
evidence of Outlook or pst files in the "Included Locations". I wa
about ready to give up entirely but tried rebooting one more time t
"restart" indexing and magically, my pst files showed up:confused

Outlook Express showed up as well even though it had been removed ?

So I will let WS4 run for a while and see what happens

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Lookeen is an Outlook search tool, not a general (multiple file types)
search tool that does a good job with Outlook.

In my opinion, Windows Desktop Search does do a good job with Outlook.

 

[ADS]

I have found a way around the problems I encountered with multipl
profiles and shared pst files.

Hi MWE,

Could you provide some info on the "way around multiple profiles"?
ahve the same issue at present with Copernic 3.2.3.


Cheers

 

[ADS]

Some further information I've discovered.

I'm running Outlook 2007 client with multiple profiles. It appear
that Copernic (base version) indexing of emails will only search th
default profile. I've tested this by changing the default profile i
Outlook and then opening Copernic and checking the Options -> Email
section. After changing the default (Outlook profile) Coperni
recognises the pst files for that profile.

So, I have also "opened" Outlook Data (pst) files created (by archivin
emails to local pst) from one profile in the other default profile, an
Copernic now indexes those "shared" emails.

The effort I have is to work out how to index the ost files. Wil
advise progress if anyone is interested