Windows Search Turns 4(.0)

After rolling out a preview in March, Microsoft rolled out the production version of Windows Search 4.0 last week (see KB940157 for download links). It's a 5.3MB download that runs on Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Vista, Windows Home Server, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008. Both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of these operating systems are supported (which should make XP Professional 64-bit users very happy).

What's New?

After the performance fiasco that was Windows Desktop Search 3.01, Microsoft has created a very different search tool in Windows Search 4.0. How different?

•  
  • First, it performs searches much faster. Enter search text, and you'll see matches immediately.
  • Second, it searches metadata as well as more obvious information such as filenames, extensions, and text contents in files. This is useful for tracking down pictures taken with a particular digital camera. For example, if I search for Kodak, it finds all of the pictures taken with my Kodak digital cameras over the years as well as folder names, filenames, and file contents containing the word Kodak.
  • Third, it's intelligent. You won't see (or feel) big hits on desktop performance with 4.0 the way you did with 3.01. WS 4.0 achieves far better system performance than its Windows XP predecessor by running as a service and incorporating a back-off feature that slows down indexing as you use the system, and speeds up indexing during idle times, using methods based on the Search feature in Windows Vista.
  • Fourth, it can search either the current user's folders (desktop) or the web. On Windows XP, WS 4.0 installs a search window on the right side of the toolbar, next to the notification area. Enter text, and it finds results on your system, but click a blank search window, and you can choose whether to search your system or the web for the text you enter next. If you've been looking for a comparable search tool to Vista's for Windows XP, give Windows Search 4.0 a try (it also boosts Vista's search performance). If you don't like it, it's easy to remove through Add/Remove Programs.

Windows Search isn't the only goodie to come out of Redmond this month. To learn what's new for Windows Home Server users, go to page 2.