Instead of using a separate database to store meta-data for computer files, the file system itself is used to store the meta-data associated with computer files and meta-data index files that allow searches to performed quickly on meta-data values according to example systems and methods. The meta-data associated with a computer file may be stored in a meta-data file with a filename derived from the filename of the original computer file. The meta-data index files associated with a particular type of meta-data type and meta-data value of that meta-data type may be stored in a meta-data index file with a filename derived from the meta-data type and meta-data value of that meta-data type. In this manner, the meta-data associated with computer files may easily be searched using the meta-data index files.