John,

I know you like to use OS-included facilities

Its more that I'm not really in to throwing all kinds of programs at my
puter, and than get stuck with all kinds of crap when I don't like (or
really need) it and uninstall it (stability of the OS comes to mind).

but I have just tried in "Everything" typing an @, and it's happy with it

I've just did a google for it, and it looks like it only works on filesnames
(not contents) ?

Windows search also works fine when I look for filenames. The problem
occurred when I tried so search for text inside (html) files.

I think versions of Everything that work under XP are still available -
and I think there is a portable version

I /do/ like portable versions, if only because they (hopefully) do not leave
all kinds of stuff behind (in system folders and /or registry). :-)

Regards,
Rudy Wieser