Windows Vista's Integrated Desktop Search is a winner

by Greg Shultz | Nov 15, 2006 5:30:00 PM

Tags: Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), PRODUCTIVITY, Operating systems, SEARCH, desktop, Greg Shultz, Start Search, Start Menu, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista, tool, desktop search

Takeaway: While the new user interface for Windows Vista's Desktop Search is very cool, it's the integration that really takes the cake.

By now you probably know that one of the great technologies in Windows Vista is the new Integrated Desktop Search feature, which is designed to make it extremely easy to find files on your hard disk no matter where they're stored. You probably also know that Microsoft recently released Windows Desktop Search 3.0 for Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917013), which uses the same search technology and indexing engine as Windows Vista. So, by downloading and installing Windows Desktop Search 3.0 in Windows XP, you'll have the power of Windows Vista's new search technology, while retaining the same user interface of the previous versions of Windows Desktop Search. While the new user interface for Windows Vista's Desktop Search is very cool, it's the integration that really makes it special.

In this edition of the Windows Vista Report, I'll take a closer look at the Windows Vista's Integrated Desktop Search. As I do, I'll focus on the integration.

The Start menu

As you know, the Graphical User Interface, or GUI, in Windows Vista has undergone a major overhaul. One of the more prominent places in which you'll encounter the new GUI is the Start menu, which, in addition to its new look, has been dramatically streamlined for maximum efficiency. A key feature on the new Start menu is the Start Search tool, located right above the Start button, as shown in Figure A.

Figure A

With the Start Search tool right on the Start menu, you can instantly begin a search without having to click anything besides the Start button.

As soon as you click the Start button to open the Start menu, the Start Search field is selected by default and you can immediately begin a search operation. As you type, Windows Vista dynamically searches filenames, metadata, and even the full text. The results instantly begin displaying in left panel, as shown in Figure B. As you continue typing, the Search engine refines its results list to show only files that match what you're typing. In fact, search will find applications, documents, and other files whose name, contents, and meta data match what you're typing.

Figure B

Not only is the Start Search tool integrated into the Start menu, but the results display on the Start menu too.

The really cool thing about the Start Search tool is that the results include items from the Start menu itself. If you've ever spent too much time trying to locate a program on a crowded Start menu, you'll really appreciate this aspect of the Start Search tool. For example, instead of clicking All Programs | Accessories | WordPad, you can just type Wor and WordPad will be quickly and easily accessible, as shown in Figure C.

Figure C

The Start Search tool make quick work of locating applications on the Start menu.

The Internet

Another nice feature of Windows Vista's Desktop Search is its Internet search integration. As soon as you begin typing in the Start Search tool, you'll notice a button titled Search the Internet appear right above the Start Search field. If you click the Search the Internet button, your search will be immediately directed to the Live Search site and you'll see a results page, as shown in Figure D, on the next page.

Figure D

Windows Vista's Desktop Search has an integrated Internet search that immediately transfers you to the Live Search site.

The Control Panel

If you're like most Windows users, chances are good that you've opened Control Panel and have stumbled around a bit before you found what you're looking for. Well, because Windows Vista's Desktop Search is integrated into the Control Panel and is the default selection, you can simply open the windows and begin typing the name of the utility you need. For example, to quickly find the Sound settings, you just open the Control Panel and type Sou. As soon as you do, the Sound utility will be instantly available, as shown in Figure D.

Figure E

Windows Vista's Desktop Search is integrated into the Control Panel.

Windows Explorer

While there are times when you have no idea where a particular file is on your hard disk, more often than not, you will have a general idea of the file's location. For example, I know that I've written several articles about the Nbtstat command for TechRepublic over the years and I know that those article are in the C:\Documents\TechRepublic folder. Fortunately, Windows Vista's Desktop Search is integrated into Windows Explorer. That means I can access the TechRepublic folder, type Nbtstat in the Search field and quickly locate all of the documents, scripts, and screenshots that I've created over the years that pertain to the Nbtstat command, as shown in Figure F.

Figure F

Having Windows Vista's Desktop Search integrated into Windows Explorer allows you to easily target searches to a specific folder.

Conclusion

Windows Vista's Desktop Search is integrated into just about every nook and cranny of the operating system making it very easy for you to find exactly what you need very quickly. In this article I've focused on the integration aspect of Desktop Search; however, there's much more to the full Desktop Search feature including advanced search options and saved searches, which I'll cover in more detail in a future article. If you have comments or information to share about Windows Vista's integrated Desktop Search, please take a moment to drop by the Discussion area and let us hear.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Just Downloaded... wmlundine | 11/17/06

At last a better search, but deffinately not a winner... demisone@... | 11/20/06

That's Almost Funny rickk@... | 11/20/06

Nothing New mek804 | 11/21/06

Actually MS had the idea first Michael L Hereid Sr | 11/21/06

Too much overhead? chris@... | 11/20/06

To be Expected jpr75 | 11/20/06

Perhaps not... mollenhourb@... | 11/20/06

Search Speed gsquared | 11/20/06

You probably also have a Fiat Spyder that does 150 MPH. KWKrueger@... | 11/20/06

Specs gsquared | 11/22/06

Wait till you try Desktop search in Vista Michael L Hereid Sr | 11/21/06

New clothes, same body: interface is locked down lgilmore@... | 11/22/06

Changing Setting in Vista Search Indexing gsquared | 11/22/06

Thank You rickk@... | 11/22/06

had the same issue fcb1st@... | 11/23/06

An advertisement or what? laman | 11/20/06

Not an ad, a review. FlappingCrane | 11/20/06

NOT a Review dlmeyer@... | 11/20/06

"Review" gsquared | 11/20/06

Chill Out rickk@... | 11/20/06

Since you mentioned Google ... ctdak | 11/21/06

Isn't That What Competition is All About? rickk@... | 11/21/06

Competition's fine ctdak | 11/21/06

Google rickk@... | 11/22/06

Google vs Monopoly gsquared | 11/22/06

Not Impressed artlife | 11/20/06

Search on Start Menu gsquared | 11/20/06

Surely you jest ronbogart@... | 11/20/06

Multiple Drives, etc. gsquared | 11/20/06

Restrictive & Non User Friendly ronbogart@... | 11/20/06

Searching for Word gsquared | 11/22/06

Further Research and Results gsquared | 11/22/06

You win a cigar ronbogart@... | 11/22/06

Too Convoluted? gsquared | 11/27/06

Further issues ronbogart@... | 11/22/06

Indexing Issues gsquared | 11/27/06

Too much like OSX Spotlight dlmeyer@... | 11/20/06

3-character Search gsquared | 11/20/06

lame fortinw4@... | 11/20/06

Ridiculous FilElli | 11/21/06

"Real Users" gsquared | 11/22/06

Great technology ! pkrdk | 11/22/06

Unclear on Your Point gsquared | 11/22/06

Claification pkrdk | 11/23/06

Makes Sense gsquared | 11/27/06

MS Desktop Search admin@... | 01/24/07