Why I Built This
Windows Search has always frustrated me. It's slow, unreliable, and doesn't give you the control you need for real file management. I wanted something that could scan my entire NTFS drive in seconds, not minutes.
So I built OmniSearch — an open-source Windows desktop file search and duplicate file finder focused on speed.
The Tech Stack
The architecture is designed for raw performance:
- C++ NTFS scanner — reads the Master File Table directly for near-instant indexing
- Rust bridge — safe FFI layer between native code and the frontend
- Tauri + React UI — lightweight desktop app (way smaller than Electron)
What It Does
- Fast indexing and search across all Windows drives
- Filters by extension, size, and date
- Click any result to open the file or reveal its folder
- Dark and light theme toggle
- Optional inline previews in results
- Duplicate Finder with grouped results and clear separation
- MSI installer available
Community Response
I shared OmniSearch on r/windowsapps and the response was incredible — 60 upvotes and 29 comments with really useful feedback. People asked for keyboard-first UX, better thumbnail performance, and indexing improvements.
Building in public and sharing early is one of the best decisions I've made. Real users give you real priorities.