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Lertaro review

Free#42 of 57 in Desktop Search Software

A capable free Windows search tool for fast filename, folder, and configured document lookup.

4.5/10Editor score
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Lertaro is an open-source desktop search launcher for Windows users who need a fast way to find files, folders, and configured local documents. Its search supports fuzzy matching alongside Boolean, prefix, suffix, exact, and exclusion operators. Indexing covers NTFS and ReFS volumes through USN Journal and MFT data, as well as FAT32, exFAT, network drives, WSL distributions, and selected folders. Installer and portable builds are available for x64 and ARM64 Windows systems.

Its strongest distinction is the combination of broad local indexing and Windows workflow integration. Lertaro can dock into Windows file dialogs and supported file managers, show QuickLook previews, expose native Shell context actions, and provide real-time disk-space treemap analysis. It also integrates with Windows File Explorer, Total Commander, Directory Opus, OneCommander, QuickLook, LocalSend, and Flow Launcher. A native plugin SDK, Flow Launcher plugin compatibility, and a command-line companion that shares the in-memory index extend it beyond a standalone search box.

Lertaro is free and open source, with no paid tiers described. That makes it a practical choice for Windows users who value local control, flexible indexing, and an extensible search workflow without a subscription. The trade-off is focus: it is limited to Windows, and full-text search is aimed at configured local documents rather than a wider content-search system. OCR is not included, so users who need scanned-image text recognition or cross-platform coverage should choose a different desktop search product. Lertaro fits users who want a focused Windows filename and local document search tool with launcher and command-line options.

Lertaro pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Fast fuzzy search with Boolean, prefix, suffix, exact, and exclusion operators
    • Indexes local, network, WSL, NTFS, ReFS, FAT32, and exFAT locations
    • Previews, shell actions, plugins, Flow Launcher support, and CLI access
  • Where it doesn't
    • Windows-only coverage limits use across other desktop platforms
    • Document full-text search applies to configured local documents
    • No OCR capability for searching text inside scanned images

Lertaro fact sheet, pricing and score →

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