Files FastSearch 4.3.2.0 preview

An unofficial, experimental Files build with local NTFS filename search powered by Find My Files. Windows 11 x64, build 22000 or later.

Download and install

1. Download FilesFastSearch-4.3.2.0-x64-Setup.exe below. It contains the complete app and Microsoft Windows App Runtime; the source-code ZIP is not the installer.
2. This preview is self-signed. Windows may display an unknown-publisher warning. Only continue if you trust this project. Read the installer prompt before typing TRUST AND INSTALL. This adds the public signing certificate to Local Computer > Trusted People (administrator approval required; this trusts the certificate for all users), then installs the app for your account. It does not add a root certificate. Press Enter to cancel.
3. Open Files FastSearch from Start. In Settings > Advanced > Fast search, select Turn on fast search and approve the Windows administrator prompt to set up the indexing service. Until indexing is ready, normal search remains available.

Expected certificate thumbprint: 0BB11DF21C43A636B0A8BEABB9546476DA0543F0 (CN=Files FastSearch Local Test). Signing uses a non-exportable key; only the public certificate is included. SignPath signing is not approved or configured.

Changes in 4.3.2.0

• Isolated Explorer replacement: added an optional Settings > Advanced > Experimental feature flags > Set Files as the default file manager toggle for FastSearch.
  • Uses its own %LOCALAPPDATA%\FilesFastSearch\ShellIntegration directory and signed native launcher (Files.FastSearch.Launcher.exe) so it never collides with official Files.
  • Requests Windows administrator approval (UAC) using your current account and backs up your existing folder-opening registry values before applying changes.
  • Turning the toggle off restores the previous file manager registration (preserving any newer file-manager choice). If the app is uninstalled while enabled, the retained launcher automatically restores the previous registration on the next folder launch, or you can run & "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\FilesFastSearch\ShellIntegration\Files.FastSearch.Launcher.exe" --restore-fastsearch.
• Exposed the per-user folder association keys outside MSIX registry virtualization so Windows Explorer sees changes made from the packaged app.
• Instant indexed filename search with live NTFS journal updates, normal Files fallback, a 20,000-result cap and filtering of folders the current user cannot list.

The installer backs up existing FastSearch settings under %LOCALAPPDATA%\FilesFastSearch\SettingsBackups. Installing does not uninstall official Files or change your default file manager unless you enable the setting.

To uninstall: if enabled, turn off Set Files as the default file manager in FastSearch settings and remove the indexing service, then uninstall the app in Windows Settings > Apps. To remove preview certificate trust afterwards, use certlm.msc > Trusted People > Certificates and verify the thumbprint above.

Installation script | Privacy policy | Report a problem

This fork is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Files team or the Find My Files author. Files retains its upstream MIT/MPL licenses; the modified Find My Files engine is Apache-2.0. Dependency notices are included in the app and attached below.

Files FastSearch 4.3.1.0 preview

An unofficial, experimental Files build with local NTFS filename search powered by Find My Files. Windows 11 x64, build 22000 or later.

Download and install

1. Download FilesFastSearch-4.3.1.0-x64-Setup.exe below. It contains the complete app and Microsoft Windows App Runtime; the source-code ZIP is not the installer.
2. This preview is self-signed. Windows may display an unknown-publisher warning. Only continue if you trust this project. Read the installer prompt before typing TRUST AND INSTALL. This adds the public signing certificate to Local Computer > Trusted People (administrator approval required; this trusts the certificate for all users), then installs the app for your account. It does not add a root certificate. Press Enter to cancel.
3. Open Files FastSearch from Start. In Settings > Advanced > Fast search, select Turn on fast search and approve the Windows administrator prompt to set up the indexing service. Until indexing is ready, normal search remains available.

Expected certificate thumbprint: 0BB11DF21C43A636B0A8BEABB9546476DA0543F0 (CN=Files FastSearch Local Test). Signing uses a non-exportable key; only the public certificate is included. SignPath signing is not approved or configured.

Changes and validation

• Instant indexed filename search with live NTFS journal updates, normal Files fallback, a 20,000-result cap and filtering of folders the current user cannot list.
• Windows build 22000 service setup fix and bounded recovery from failed volume indexing.
• The EXE, app package and bundled service are signed. The app pins the bundled service image before allowing elevated setup. Signatures and extracted installer payload hashes were verified locally.
• Engine/search integration was tested on the maintainer's existing Windows 11 build 22000 PC. The new 4.3.1.0 installer has passed signature and extraction checks, but has not yet been installed end to end or tested on a clean Windows installation. This is a preview; back up important data and settings before testing.

The installer backs up existing FastSearch settings under %LOCALAPPDATA%\FilesFastSearch\SettingsBackups. It does not uninstall official Files or change your default file manager.

To uninstall: remove the indexing service in FastSearch settings, then uninstall the app in Windows Settings > Apps. To remove preview certificate trust afterwards, use certlm.msc > Trusted People > Certificates and verify the thumbprint above.

Installation script | Privacy policy | Report a problem

This fork is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Files team or the Find My Files author. Files retains its upstream MIT/MPL licenses; the modified Find My Files engine is Apache-2.0. Dependency notices are included in the app and attached below.