Utilities · head to head
Everything vs GParted
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Everything searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed; GParted partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
- They diverge on capability: Everything covers Instant results, GParted covers Graphical partitioning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Everything and GParted actually diverge.
| Attribute | Everything | GParted |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free; donations accepted | Open source, no licence fee |
| Platforms | Windows | Linux, Live USB |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Everything
- Instant results
- MFT-based indexing
- Tiny footprint
- Regex and filters
Only in GParted
- Graphical partitioning
- Wide filesystem support
- Live boot image
- Queued operations
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Everything
- Finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on Windows Searchnot GParted
- Locating duplicates and stray files across large drivesnot GParted
- Navigating a machine with hundreds of thousands of filesnot GParted
GParted
- Resizing a system partition, booted from the live imagenot Everything
- Preparing disk layout before installing an operating systemnot Everything
- Recovering space or repairing partition tables on a failing disknot Everything
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Everything
- Searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed
- Windows and NTFS only: no macOS or Linux build, and non-NTFS volumes fall back to slower indexing
- Requires administrator rights to read the Master File Table
GParted
- Partition operations risk data loss, and a backup before use is not optional advice
- Cannot safely modify mounted partitions, so system drives require booting the live image
- Large move and resize operations can take hours and must not be interrupted
- The interface is functional rather than reassuring, which matters for an operation this consequential
Pricing, plan by plan
Everything
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
GParted
Free- GPartedFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Which should you pick?
Choose Everything if
- You need instant results.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want mft-based indexing.
Choose GParted if
- You need graphical partitioning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Live USB.
- You also want wide filesystem support.
Questions people ask
- Is Everything or GParted better?
- Neither clearly leads. Everything starts at Free and GParted at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Everything or GParted?
- Everything starts at Free and GParted at Free.
- Does Everything or GParted run on more platforms?
- Everything runs on Windows. GParted runs on Linux, Live USB.
- Can I use Everything for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Everything best used for?
- Everything is most often used for finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on windows search, locating duplicates and stray files across large drives, navigating a machine with hundreds of thousands of files. Of those, finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on windows search and locating duplicates and stray files across large drives are not what GParted is typically brought in for.
- What can Everything do that GParted cannot?
- Everything covers Instant results, MFT-based indexing, Tiny footprint, Regex and filters. GParted covers Graphical partitioning, Wide filesystem support, Live boot image, Queued operations.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Everything: Is Everything free?
Yes, free to use with donations accepted.
GParted: Is GParted free?
Yes, open source under the GPL.
Everything: Why is it so much faster than Windows Search?
It reads the NTFS Master File Table directly instead of crawling the filesystem, so indexing a whole volume takes seconds.
GParted: Can GParted resize my system drive?
Not while it is mounted. Boot the GParted live USB image, which runs independently of the installed system.
Everything: Can it search inside files?
Only in a limited way. It is built for filename search, and full content search is not what it is for.
GParted: Is it safe?
The operations are consequential and interruption during a move or resize can lose data. Back up before using it, every time.