What Is Everything? Is It Safe to Disable at Startup?
Everything is a fast Windows file search tool from voidtools. It is generally safe and optional at startup unless you want instant search all the time.
- Verdict
- Optional at startupEverything is a legitimate file indexer and search tool, but it does not need to start with Windows unless you want instant search ready in the background.
- File name
- everything.exe
- Publisher
- voidtools
- Platforms
- Windows
- Reviewed
What Is Everything?
Everything is a third-party file search tool for Windows made by voidtools. It builds an index of file and folder names so it can return search results almost instantly.
Unlike Windows Search, Everything focuses mainly on finding files and folders by name. Many people install it because it is fast, lightweight, and good at locating files across multiple drives.
The main process is usually everything.exe. Some setups may also use a service so the app can index NTFS volumes without needing to run elevated.
Is It Safe?
Yes, Everything from voidtools is generally safe and widely used. On its own, it is not malware and it is not a Windows component.
A legitimate copy should normally be everything.exe from voidtools. If you are unsure, check the file location and digital signature in the file properties. Be more cautious if you find everything.exe in an unusual folder, if the publisher is missing, or if the app appeared without you installing it.
Because it indexes filenames, it may read file system metadata in the background. That is expected behavior for this kind of tool.
Should I Disable It at Startup?
Usually, yes if you do not use it often. Disabling it at startup is generally safe.
Everything does not need to launch with Windows for your PC to work properly. If you turn off its startup entry, you can still open it manually whenever you need it. The trade-off is simple: you may lose instant search availability until the app starts, and it may need a moment to refresh its index.
Keep it enabled at startup if you use it every day, rely on fast file search, or want its search index ready as soon as you sign in.
Why Is It Using High CPU or Memory?
Everything is usually light, but CPU or disk activity can rise when it is:
- building or rebuilding its index
- scanning a newly connected drive
- monitoring many folders or volumes for changes
- working with network shares or large result sets
- updating after lots of file moves, installs, or deletions
Short bursts are normal after boot or after major file activity. Constant high usage is less normal. If it stays busy for a long time, open Everything and review its indexing settings, watched folders, and any network locations. If you no longer use it, disabling startup is reasonable.
How to Disable or Remove It
If Everything starts with Windows, disable its startup entry rather than deleting files by hand.
You can usually do that from inside the app's own settings, or from Windows startup controls such as the Startup folder, Run keys, or Task Scheduler if it created an entry there. Some installs may also use a service; do not remove that unless you are uninstalling the app.
If you want it gone completely, uninstall Everything from Windows Apps settings or your usual uninstall method.
Where Kudu Helps
Kudu can show whether Everything is starting from a Run key, Startup folder, or Task Scheduler entry, then let you disable or remove that item safely. If Everything is using noticeable CPU or memory, Kudu's Performance Monitor can confirm the process, show its PID, and link it back to any startup item.
If you are not sure a copy is legitimate, Kudu's Malware Scanner can help check for suspicious persistence or unusual behavior, but it complements your antivirus rather than replacing it.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Everything replace Windows Search?
- Not completely. Everything is mainly for very fast filename and folder-name searches, while Windows Search also integrates with other Windows features.
- Will disabling Everything at startup break anything?
- No, not for Windows itself. You can still launch Everything manually when you want to use it.
- Why does Everything need background access to my drives?
- It indexes file and folder names so searches are fast. That background activity is normal for a file indexing tool.
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