Windows search has long been the green-eyed villain of productivity — slow to return results, hungry for resources, and a constant background presence that can chew battery life and CPU cycles. For users who’ve tried to tame or disable Microsoft’s indexer, the trade-off has been clear: fewer system drains, but more time hunting for files, apps, open tabs and settings. A compact, keyboard-first alternative called Fluent Search promises to bridge that gap by offering lightning-fast lookups, a customizable indexer, and plugin-driven extensibility — and it does so with a surprisingly small footprint and focused feature set. The app’s recent coverage across tech outlets has sold many users on the idea that Fluent Search can replace the worst parts of Windows Search and act like a Spotlight-equivalent for Windows — but there’s more to evaluate than quick demo videos and first impressions.
Windows’ default search is complex by design: it integrates local indexing, cloud connectors, and deep OS hooks to provide results across apps, documents, and web content. That complexity brings fragility and overhead. Power users have long adopted third-party launchers and search overlays — such as PowerToys Run, Everything, Flow Launcher, and others — to regain speed and control. Fluent Search joins that field with a distinct sell: a modern, keyboard-first launcher with its own indexer, plugin ecosystem, and a configurable automation system called Tasks. The project is actively developed and maintained in an open-source repository and distributed via its website and the Microsoft Store, with nightly builds and portable options for testers.
Fluent Search’s developer describes the tool as capable of indexing running applications, browser tabs, in-app content (buttons, links), system settings, and files — all accessible from a single overlay. The app also includes integrations to surface results from external indexers like Windows Search or the Everything engine, making it flexible for users with existing workflows. Official documentation and release notes indicate steady improvements in memory use, index size, and feature polish across recent versions.
Practical installation notes:
Memory usage also improved across versions, but real-world usage depends on configuration (indexing backend, enabled plugins, preview modules). The project now includes settings to trim memory aggressively or to offload indexing work, and a Gaming mode halts background tasks when low-latency performance is required. These are mature controls, but users should expect some RAM use in the tens to low hundreds of megabytes under typical configurations.
Source: MakeUseOf You can search your PC in an instant with this tiny app
Windows’ default search is complex by design: it integrates local indexing, cloud connectors, and deep OS hooks to provide results across apps, documents, and web content. That complexity brings fragility and overhead. Power users have long adopted third-party launchers and search overlays — such as PowerToys Run, Everything, Flow Launcher, and others — to regain speed and control. Fluent Search joins that field with a distinct sell: a modern, keyboard-first launcher with its own indexer, plugin ecosystem, and a configurable automation system called Tasks. The project is actively developed and maintained in an open-source repository and distributed via its website and the Microsoft Store, with nightly builds and portable options for testers. Fluent Search’s developer describes the tool as capable of indexing running applications, browser tabs, in-app content (buttons, links), system settings, and files — all accessible from a single overlay. The app also includes integrations to surface results from external indexers like Windows Search or the Everything engine, making it flexible for users with existing workflows. Official documentation and release notes indicate steady improvements in memory use, index size, and feature polish across recent versions.
What Fluent Search actually does
Fluent Search is a launcher-style overlay that appears when you press a hotkey and accepts freeform queries. From that single entry point it attempts to return matches from several distinct domains:- Local files (full index or name lookups)
- Running applications and their windows
- Browser tabs across supported browsers
- System settings and Control Panel items
- Custom plugins (currency conversion, color pickers, clipboard history, translators)
- Automated Tasks that chain actions to specific triggers
Indexing: what to expect
One of the strongest selling points for Fluent Search is its indexer. During setup it offers an optional background service that builds and maintains an index of files and metadata. Published hands-on reports — and user-shared numbers — show the indexer completing very large file lists in minutes on typical consumer hardware; however, that is an anecdote from testing and will vary by drive type, file count and configuration. The app also documents how it can use the Windows Search index or Everything as alternative backends, giving users a choice between full-text indexing or extremely fast filename lookups. Official docs emphasize configuration options, including prioritized locations, file-type controls and settings to reduce memory usage.Quick feature list
- Fast overlay launcher with configurable hotkey and themes.
- Optional background indexer service for local files.
- Browser tab discovery and activation (behavior varies by browser).
- Extensive settings for file prioritization, themes, and hotkeys.
- Plugin ecosystem with community modules (converters, translators, clipboard search).
- Tasks automation for chaining triggers to actions.
- Integration with existing indexers (Windows Search, Everything).
- Gaming mode to disable background activity and hotkeys while playing.
Installation and first-run experience
Installing Fluent Search is straightforward: download the installer from the official site or install via the Microsoft Store. The installer walks through visual theme selection, hotkey choice, and the optional indexer service installation. If you opt in to the indexer, users report seeing a near-immediate indexing pass that completes quickly for many setups; the app posts a notification once initial indexing finishes. The UI exposes the full settings tree from a system-tray menu where you can further customize plugins, Tasks, and search scopes.Practical installation notes:
- Pick the hotkey to avoid conflicts (Alt+Space is common but also used by other tools).
- Choose the indexer backend that matches your needs (built-in for full-text, Everything for raw filename speed).
- If battery or resources matter, enable the “Reduce memory usage” or use Gaming mode when needed.
Power features for advanced users
Fluent Search is not just a basic launcher. It includes two pro-level systems that reward time invested:1) Tasks: automation inside the launcher
Tasks let you define triggers (search terms, key sequences) that perform ordered actions: launching multiple apps, opening URLs, running command-line tools, or manipulating windows. The system is flexible but requires learning its syntax and execution model. For power users who script their workflows, Tasks can replace small external automation tools and reduce repetitive context switching. The project’s GitHub and documentation offer templates and a guide to creating useful Task sequences.2) Plugins: extend via community modules
The plugin manager provides community-created modules for unit and currency conversions, a color picker preview, clipboard history search, and simple translator utilities. The manifest on the project site lists available plugins and notes that third-party plugins are supported via C# — enabling deep customization for developers who want to extend search behavior. The plugin ecosystem is smaller than some competitors, but it’s growing and fills many daily needs.Performance, memory and installer size — reality check
Many early hands-on articles tout Fluent Search as compact and low-overhead — the quoted installer size in one popular write-up was “about 80 MB” and the app is described as “tiny” compared with Windows Search and some other launchers. Those numbers are indicative but not absolute: different installer builds (stable vs nightly vs portable vs Store-app) have historically reported sizes ranging from ~70 MB to over 180 MB depending on packaging choices and bundled components. Release notes from the project show explicit efforts to reduce install size and memory usage across versions, with large reductions documented in recent updates. In short: the app is modest in size compared with many suites, but exact installer sizes vary by release channel. Treat specific megabyte figures as build-dependent rather than immutable facts.Memory usage also improved across versions, but real-world usage depends on configuration (indexing backend, enabled plugins, preview modules). The project now includes settings to trim memory aggressively or to offload indexing work, and a Gaming mode halts background tasks when low-latency performance is required. These are mature controls, but users should expect some RAM use in the tens to low hundreds of megabytes under typical configurations.
Privacy and security considerations
Fluent Search emphasizes local-only indexing: settings and the index are stored on the device and, according to the developer, the app does not upload search data to external servers. The official privacy docs state that indexed data and settings remain local and that the developer does not have access to them. That design is beneficial for users who disabled Microsoft’s cloud-connected features precisely to avoid telemetry and potential data exposure. However, independent verification of any software’s privacy posture is always prudent:- The app stores indexes in ProgramData or AppData depending on installation type and indicates that admin access is required for certain storage locations.
- The open-source repo and documentation outline the on-device storage strategy, but users in highly regulated environments should validate storage locations and consider endpoint monitoring when deploying at scale.
- The local indexer runs as a service if you opt in. On multi-user machines, privileged services can introduce administrative considerations; confirm permission models before enabling the service on shared systems.
- Plugin code — especially third-party plugins — can increase attack surface. Install plugins only from trusted sources or review plugin code before enabling in managed environments.
Where Fluent Search shines — practical strengths
- Speed of discovery: the overlay + indexer model returns results without waiting for Explorer UI overhead. For keyboard-first users, the combination is fast and frictionless.
- Flexibility in indexing: choose built-in indexer for full-text or Everything/Windows Search for other trade-offs. This is a major practical advantage over tools that force a single indexing model.
- Custom automations: Tasks allow consolidating multi-step workflows into single triggers, which can significantly speed repetitive workflows for power users.
- Plugin extensibility: the community plugin store covers many small daily needs without bloating core functionality.
- Active development: regular releases and an open issue tracker mean problems get addressed and new features appear; the project is not abandoned.
Limits and potential risks
No third‑party tool is a drop-in, risk-free replacement for built-in OS services. Fluent Search is no exception.Browser tabs and process discovery are imperfect
The app can enumerate and search browser tabs in several browsers, but support varies across browsers and versions. Community reports and issue threads show cases where tab discovery fails or returns incomplete results for some browsers. Users relying on tab search as a primary workflow should test it on their browser stack before committing.Plugin and Task complexity
Plugins are powerful but add attack surface and maintenance responsibilities. Tasks require understanding Fluent Search’s action model; poorly written Tasks could accidentally trigger unwanted actions. In enterprise contexts, these features warrant policy controls or admin review before broad adoption.Background service considerations
Opting into the Fluent Search indexer installs a background service for continuous indexing. While the developer designed it to be conservative, any service that scans files and runs at elevated privileges should be assessed carefully in corporate environments. Admins should verify the service behavior, storage locations, and update mechanism before approving it for managed fleets.Variation in installer size and resource usage
Installer and runtime resource metrics vary by release channel (Installer vs Store vs Portable). Don’t assume a fixed 70–80 MB installer or a specific RAM ceiling; check the build you plan to deploy. Release notes show that the team actively changes packaging and memory profiles over time.Practical comparison: Fluent Search vs PowerToys Run vs Everything
- Fluent Search: full launcher with indexer, plugin ecosystem, Tasks, and multiple backend options. It aims to be a near-Spotlight replacement with customization and automation baked in.
- PowerToys Run: lightweight, tightly integrated with Microsoft PowerToys, excels at quick app launches and command-like operations; fewer built-in plugins but solid extensions via the PowerToys community. Lower maintenance overhead for users already invested in PowerToys.
- Everything: ultra-fast filename-based search that uses the NTFS file system journal for near-instant results. It is not a full launcher but usually delivers the fastest file-name queries and minimal resource usage. Fluent Search can integrate Everything for filename speed while adding UI and automation layers.
How to evaluate Fluent Search on your PC — a short checklist
- Confirm what you need: fast filename searches, full-text indexing, tab discovery, or automation.
- Choose an install channel: Installer for full features, Microsoft Store for sandboxing, or Portable for no install footprint.
- Test the indexer: enable the indexer for an initial run and time it on the drives you use. Compare responsiveness against Windows Search and Everything.
- Try browser tab search across your browsers to verify compatibility.
- Review plugin list and only enable trusted plugins; scan code for third-party modules in sensitive environments.
- If on a laptop, measure battery and CPU impact with the indexer enabled; use Gaming mode or Reduce Memory settings if needed.
Final verdict — who should install it?
Fluent Search is a strong contender for keyboard-first Windows users who want more than a quick app launcher: it offers indexer flexibility, an automation layer, and a plugin ecosystem that together deliver a much richer experience than the built-in Start/Search UI. It’s particularly well suited to:- Power users and developers who live at the keyboard and need fast access to files, tabs and system settings.
- Users who disabled Windows Search and want a local, privacy-respecting indexer.
- People who prefer a single overlay to switch windows, find resources, and run light automations.
Conclusion
Fluent Search is a capable, actively developed alternative to Windows Search that succeeds because it focuses on doing a few things extremely well: a snappy overlay, configurable indexing backends, extendable plugins, and automation tasks. While headline numbers about installer size and indexing speed are useful for first impressions, core decisions should be based on hands-on testing with your specific drives, browser mix, and workflow. The app gives power users the tools to build a Spotlight-like experience on Windows while preserving on-device storage for privacy-conscious environments — but like all third‑party utilities that touch system services, it requires thoughtful configuration and cautious plugin management. For many users, Fluent Search is worth installing, testing, and keeping alongside other specialized tools; for managed environments, it’s a promising candidate whose governance and service model should be validated before rollout.Source: MakeUseOf You can search your PC in an instant with this tiny app