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.
In this article, 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.
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