Windows
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.