Google Desktop

Aug 25, 2004
11,151
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Link | screenshots

1. What does Google Desktop Search do?

With Google Desktop Search, you can search the full text of your email, files, viewed web pages, and chats. Specifically, you can:

* Search email from Outlook 2000+ and Outlook Express 5+
* Search files in TXT, HTML, DOC, XLS, and PPT formats (Office 2000+)
* Search chats from AOL 7+ and AOL Instant Messenger 5+
* Search web pages viewed in Internet Explorer 5+

2. Why is this useful?

Since you can easily search information on your computer, you don't need to worry about organizing your files, email, or bookmarks. You can just do a quick search for what you remember seeing, instead of having to remember exactly what file, email, or web page had that information, and where that item is now located on your computer.

3. Where do I go to do a Desktop Search?

Right after you install Google Desktop Search, your browser will show the Desktop Search home page. After you close the Desktop Search home page, you can quickly get back to Desktop Search by double-clicking the Desktop Search icon in your system task tray (usually at the bottom right of your screen).

4. What are the system requirements for running Google Desktop Search?

Google Desktop Search is currently available for Windows XP and Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 and above. To install, you must have administrator privileges (home users shouldn't have this problem; people in offices might). It also requires 500MB of space available on your hard disk. We also recommend a minimum of 128MB of RAM and a 400MHz Pentium processor.

5. How long will the download take?

The download is only about 400K (smaller than a typical digital photo) and will take a few seconds over broadband or about a minute over a modem.

6. How easy is it to install?

Installing Google Desktop Search is quick and easy:

1. Click here to download and install Google Desktop Search.
2. Click "Open" or "Run" in the new window that appears. The download will start.
3. Google Desktop Search may ask you to quit some open applications, like Internet Explorer or Outlook. Click "OK" to quit these applications and start the Google Desktop Search installation.
4. After about a minute, a web page will appear congratulating you on a successful installation. It will also ask you to set a few preferences.
5. Next you will be notified that Google Desktop Search is preparing an index that will enable you to search through your own information.
6. Just click "Start searching" to start using Google Desktop Search.

7. After installing, how soon can I search my computer?

After installing, Google Desktop Search starts indexing the email, files, and web pages that were stored on your computer before you installed Google Desktop Search. This process occurs while you aren't using your computer and may take several hours, depending on how many items you have on your computer. When this is completed, you'll be able to search the items on your computer.

8. Will Google Desktop Search affect my computer's performance?

Google Desktop Search should not slow down your computer's performance, because it only builds its index when you aren't using your computer. So it may make sense to install before going to lunch.

9. What about my privacy? Does Google Desktop Search share my content with anyone?

We treat your privacy with the utmost respect. The Google Desktop Search program does not make your computer's content accessible to Google or anyone else. You can learn more by reading the Desktop Search privacy policy.

10. How come Google Desktop Search doesn't search all my communications and files?

Google Desktop Search is still under development as a beta product. We intend to add new file, email, and chat formats and browsers as Google Desktop Search evolves, and when new formats are created and used. If there's a format you'd like Google Desktop Search to be able to search, please let us know. We can't guarantee that we'll add every type that's suggested, but your suggestions will let us know what formats are important to you.

11. Is Google Desktop Search available in languages other than English?

Google Desktop Search is currently only available with an English interface and supports search in English (though a limited set of other languages may also be used for searches). We're committed to making Google Desktop Search available to as many people in as many languages as possible.

12. How do I uninstall?

You can easily uninstall Google Desktop Search by going to Start > Programs > Google Desktop Search > Uninstall Google Desktop Search.
 

Kristi2k

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2003
1,364
4
81
I tried it and did not really like it that much. I prefer XP's built-in search.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
Seems cool. I downloaded it to just see what it looks like. I uninstalled it though, because I have no use for it. I know where all my stuff is.
 

KEV1N

Platinum Member
Jan 15, 2000
2,932
1
0
I just had a weird image of the sentinels from the Matrix.. with Google logos on them, invading your house to "catalog" you.

Next step- Google changes its name to "Ministry of Truth"
 

elektrolokomotive

Golden Member
Jan 14, 2004
1,637
0
0
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I tried it and did not really like it that much. I prefer XP's built-in search.

XP's search stinks. I've done searches for items that I knew were on my drive, and it couldn't find it. Had to browse manually to come up with it. Also, it won't let you search a specific hard drive.

 

bluehorizon

Senior member
Jun 25, 2004
564
0
0
Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I tried it and did not really like it that much. I prefer XP's built-in search.

XP's search stinks. I've done searches for items that I knew were on my drive, and it couldn't find it. Had to browse manually to come up with it. Also, it won't let you search a specific hard drive.

Uh, yea it will. lol. I think you just don't know what you're doing.
 

beer

Lifer
Jun 27, 2000
11,169
1
0
It should be able to parse MP3 ID3 tags and the same for videos. If it did it would actually be useful
 

Snapster

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2001
3,916
0
0
Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
I tried it and did not really like it that much. I prefer XP's built-in search.

XP's search stinks. I've done searches for items that I knew were on my drive, and it couldn't find it. Had to browse manually to come up with it. Also, it won't let you search a specific hard drive.

I suppose the look in dropdown is just there for show then. Especially the browse ...
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
My google processor is much much faster than anything intel, amd, sun, ibm, apple offer.

it should be released in a few months.

MIKE