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Finder V1.1.0

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@Shreongit Shreongit released this 18 Oct 09:47
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Finder v1.1.0

A faster way to find anything on Windows.

A lightweight, keyboard-driven search launcher for Windows applications, files, folders, settings, and web searches.

Download Latest Release · Report a Bug · Product Hunt

Overview

Finder is a Windows desktop search launcher inspired by the simplicity of macOS Spotlight and the flexibility of modern application launchers.

Instead of navigating through multiple menus and windows, Finder gives you a single, compact interface for finding and opening the things you need.

Built with C# and .NET, Finder focuses on a clean user experience, keyboard-first interaction, Windows integration, and practical everyday productivity.

What's New in v1.1.0

Automatic startup control

  • Enable Finder to launch automatically when you sign in to Windows.
  • Disable automatic startup whenever you want.
  • Control startup directly from the system tray menu.
  • View the current startup state with a checkmark.
  • Manage startup without requiring administrator privileges.

Improvements

  • Improved system-tray controls.
  • Persistent startup configuration using a per-user Windows Startup shortcut.
  • Prevention of duplicate startup shortcuts.
  • Installer cleanup for startup shortcuts during uninstallation.
  • Automated tests for startup-state detection, persistence, and toggling.

Features

  • Application launcher: Find and open installed applications.
  • File search: Locate files in supported user directories.
  • Folder search: Find folders without manually navigating File Explorer.
  • Windows Settings search: Quickly access relevant system settings.
  • Web search: Search the web directly from Finder.
  • Keyboard-first workflow: Open Finder using its registered global keyboard shortcut.
  • System tray integration: Keep Finder available in the background.
  • Automatic startup: Choose whether Finder launches when you sign in to Windows.
  • Light and dark themes: Follow the current Windows app theme.
  • Compact interface: Search from a single, focused window.
  • Automatic dismissal: Close the search window when it loses focus or a result is launched.
  • Windows installer: Install and uninstall Finder through an MSI package.

Screenshots

Add your latest screenshots here.

Finder application search

Finder file and web search

Installation

Recommended: Windows MSI installer

  1. Open the [Finder Releases](https://github.com/Shreongit/Finder/releases) page.
  2. Download FinderSetup.msi from the release you want.
  3. Run the installer and follow the installation instructions.
  4. Launch Finder and access it from the Windows system tray.
  5. To enable automatic startup, right-click the tray icon and select Turn on startup.

When enabled, Finder starts automatically when your Windows user signs in.

Download the release marked v1.1.0 when it becomes available. Do not assume an older release contains the new startup-toggle feature.

Usage

Open Finder

Use Finder's registered keyboard shortcut. The default shortcut is Alt + Space when available; if it cannot be registered, Finder uses its configured fallback shortcut.

You can also open Finder from its system-tray menu.

Search

Type a query to search supported applications, files, folders, Windows Settings, or the web.

Select a result to open it.

Manage automatic startup

  1. Locate Finder in the Windows system tray.
  2. Open its context menu.
  3. Select Turn on startup to enable automatic startup.
  4. Select Turn off startup to disable it.

The menu reflects the detected startup state.

Exit Finder

Open the system-tray menu and select Exit.

Search behavior and limitations

Finder's file search uses bounded, best-effort scanning of supported user directories. It is not a complete, continuously maintained index of every file on every drive.

Consequently, search results can depend on the directories scanned and the search query. Finder's goal is to provide convenient everyday access rather than replace a dedicated full-disk indexing system.

Global shortcut availability can also depend on other applications and Windows shortcut registrations.

Technology Stack

  • Language: C#
  • Framework: .NET 10
  • Desktop UI: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
  • Platform: Windows x64
  • Installer: WiX Toolset
  • Testing: Automated .NET tests

Project Structure

Finder/
├── src/
│   ├── Finder.App/
│   ├── Finder.Core/
│   ├── Finder.Platform.Windows/
│   ├── Finder.Search.Apps/
│   ├── Finder.Search.Files/
│   ├── Finder.Search.Settings/
│   └── Finder.Search.Web/
├── tests/
│   └── Finder.Tests/
├── installer/
│   ├── Finder.Installer.wixproj
│   └── Package.wxs
├── scripts/
│   └── build-installer.ps1
└── Finder.slnx

Development

Requirements

  • Windows
  • .NET 10 SDK
  • WiX Toolset 7 for building the MSI installer
  • PowerShell for the installer build script

Build the solution

dotnet restore Finder.slnx
dotnet build Finder.slnx -c Release

Run tests

dotnet test Finder.slnx -c Release

Build the installer

Run the repository's installer build script in the supported Windows PowerShell environment:

.\scripts\build-installer.ps1 -AcceptWixEula

The generated MSI is expected at:

artifacts/installer/FinderSetup.msi

Follow the current script and installer documentation if the build environment requires additional configuration.

Roadmap

Potential areas for future development include:

  • Faster and more comprehensive file indexing.
  • Better search relevance and ranking.
  • Additional search providers.
  • Further startup and background-memory optimizations.
  • More customization options.
  • Continued usability and accessibility improvements.

Future features will be guided by technical feasibility and user feedback.

Contributing

Contributions, bug reports, feature requests, and feedback are welcome.

  1. Open an issue describing the problem or proposed improvement.
  2. Include reproduction steps for bugs when possible.
  3. Keep pull requests focused and tested.
  4. Discuss substantial changes before beginning implementation.

[Open an issue or suggest a feature](https://github.com/Shreongit/Finder/issues).

License

See the repository's license and distribution terms before using, modifying, or redistributing Finder.

Support

Built with C# and .NET for a faster Windows workflow.

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