Exclusive: MSN Desktop Search Revealed

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Back in July, Microsoft purchased a company called Lookout. The company made a popular tool that allowed users of Outlook 2000 or above to search through their email at greater speed and accuracy to the standard Outlook search tool. Since Microsoft acquired Lookout, the MSN team have been steadily working on Desktop Search and web search technologies. Google announced their own Desktop Search technology recently. The tool is fast but is limited in capabilities.

When you first install the MSN Toolbar Suite, the installation wizard configures MSN Toolbar in Outlook, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and then the MSN Deskbar. MSN's new Toolbar integrates directly throughout the OS and varies according to where you're searching from. For example, if you're searching from within Windows Explorer you will search on your PC, in IE on the web and in Outlook the toolbar searches within Outlook. You have the option to search on the web/desktop throughout any of the searches. Once the installation wizard has completed you're greeted with the MSN Deskbar. The MSN Deskbar resides along the Taskbar much like minimising Windows Media Player. Clicking on the Deskbar brings up an interface for searching and simply inputting characters into the text box immediately starts the Desktop Search. If the Desktop Search hasn't had enough time to index your files it will alert you and you can change the settings of what and where it is searching.

Perhaps the most important thing in the Toolbar Suite package is the installation of the separate MSN Desktop Search. The results gained from simply searching for files are amazing. Searching is speedy and you can even search for the author of certain files. The same technology is applied to the Outlook search. The MSN Toolbar integrates directly into Outlook allowing you to replace the standard search tool. Search results for Outlook are impressive too. Clicking directly on an email that you've searched for launches the email within seconds. An impressive search when compared to the long wait of searching before.

If you're not a fan of the MSN Toolbar then you won't appreciate the way it integrates into Windows Explorer after Desktop Searches. This is something I hope MSN will change in future builds.

The MSN Toolbar Suite including MSN Desktop Search is due to launch in December.

Screenshot: Installation Part #1 | Part #2

Screenshot: About Desktop Search | Desktop Search Settings

Screenshot: MSN Deskbar | Deskbar Search Results

Screenshot: MSN Toolbar | Outlook Toolbar | Outlook Search Results | Desktop Search Results

Screenshot: Pop-up Notifier | Indexing Notifier

Screenshot: About MSN Toolbar Suite

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(2 replies) #1 switch007 on 14 Nov 2004 - 14:51

It sure looks good, hope it can perform just as well

#1.1 HellBender on 15 Nov 2004 - 06:18

Yeah, but does Neowin really need to put a huge, ugly "COURTESY OF NEOWIN.NET" on each pic? If it was at least transparent, (like Tom's) it wouldn't be so bad... But such a huge signature just makes Neowin look like an attention whore.

#1.2 robertojdohnert on 16 Nov 2004 - 19:05

You know what really burns me up. That people actually care who copied whom. It doesnt matter, its not a big deal. A need was found and a solution has been made. I dont care if it looks like spotlight or Avafind or whatever. Personally I think this tool looks and feels more functional than Avafind and I despise the web based interface of Googles tool so it looks like Microsoft may come on top again, and not from monopolistic but once again, superior design

#2 Jedimark on 14 Nov 2004 - 14:53

Looks impressive

#3 jmc777 on 14 Nov 2004 - 14:55

I'll give this a whirl when it comes out, looks good.

(3 replies) #4 pctuk on 14 Nov 2004 - 14:57

Might finally replace my bestest bestest program Avafind if it uses keyboard shortcuts and can be operated by a few key presses, and is as quick and easy to use.

#4.1 lare2 on 14 Nov 2004 - 19:37

Avafind is a great piece of soft, I second that

#4.2 pctuk on 14 Nov 2004 - 23:06

Have you bought pro? I even pay for this software, I love it so much. Absolutely essential, I can't imagine my PC without it.

#4.3 Mav Phoenix on 15 Nov 2004 - 00:34

Yeah, Ava is pretty great. I ended up using Copernic though.

(2 replies) #5 ethernet on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:04

Does if search like the above mentioned "Avafind"...~ In Real Time ~ as Mac OS X "Spotlight" does as well...or do you have to enter the text and then ugh!!...click search?

It has to be realtime search ..a la Mac OS X Tiger "Spotlight" to be the "Holy Grail"...IMO...having used Avafind is the closest thing to "Spotlight" also taking into account simplicity.

We'll have to wait and see.
( Fingers Crossed )

#5.1 creamhackered on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:05

Yes it does using the MSN Deskbar

#5.2 ethernet on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:12

Thanks for the quick reply...looking forward to trying this...looks VERY promising!!

#6 Larney on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:06

Very nice Tom, thank you for the news

(11 replies) #7 ThunderRiver on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:07

When the program has to index in the background, it is going to take up certain amount of space for its database. That makes the system slow a bit, and not even Google or MS can avoid it? mmmm

#7.1 creamhackered on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:13

I'm not sure if it slows down the system because I'm using 2GB RAM and a 3.6 CPU so i didn't notice anything.

#7.2 jmc777 on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:20

Edit: I replied to the wrong person, this was meant for creamhackered.

Have you used any of the other desktop search programs; Google DS, Copernic DS etc? If so, how does the MSN DS compare?

#7.3 CheeseCow on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:37

Perhaps Microsoft could make it better than the others by forcing a tighter integration with NTFS?

#7.4 ThunderRiver on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:39

#7.3 exactly my thoughts

#7.5 ThunderRiver on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:43

#7.1 On my laptop (2 GHz 768 Mb RAM), I can feel performance hit with background indexing. With Google, it only does indexing when your machine is idle.
Like I said in my previous post, if MS can make a tighter integration with NTFS, it would be a plus.

#7.6 bilbobaggins on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:44

QUOTE

Rrright. Like deep intergation of products which have competitors made by other companies has brought much joy for MS in the past. Think media player, think explorer. Now add desktop and web search. No good.

Anyway, given current search performance of the beta msn.search, they better gather themselves and make it better soon, before they loose every chance to ever be competitive in this line.

#7.7 creamhackered on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:52

MS does their indexing when the machine isn't in use too

#7.8 ThunderRiver on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:57

#7.6, you are not being fair. Apple is obviously going to implement tighter integration between its Spotlight and its file system. Otherwise, its Mac users will also complain about indexing performance hit and so on. If Apple can do it, why can't Microsoft do it? Just because Microsoft is big does not mean cusumers should suffer by enduring the performance hit.

#7.9 Rambo2000 on 15 Nov 2004 - 14:20

The problem here is that Microsoft is a monopoly where Apple isn't, Apple can get away with a lot more because of that reason, Microsoft could be asking for trouble if they intergrat this into Windows a standerd because in the long run it will make others like Google harder to compeat with Microsoft, the EU will be licking there lips at this one

#7.10 diamonds on 15 Nov 2004 - 17:57

yeah well, screw EU

#7.11 Rambo2000 on 16 Nov 2004 - 22:31

You can't screw the EU, many American companies and the US goverment have already found that out, simple put, the EU is a economic power thats bigger then the US and is expanding, it's the biggest market in the world, so the US can't ignore it even if they want too.

#8 alishan on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:11

I think this look is similiar to Blinkx and hope they can compete Coopernick Desktop Search. But Google will definitely lead in this stiff competition

(6 replies) #9 alishan on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:14

I hate Google and would like the fast technology of Blinkx to come and challenge other desktop search engines.

#9.1 bilbobaggins on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:46

I hate Google

good for you, at least your choice is an easy choice

#9.2 ThunderRiver on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:51

I use Google, but I dislike its Desktop Search because its search type is purely confined to a few file formats and programs. It does not even index mp3 for you at all. Worst of all, if you move a file to another location, the desktop search result will remain as old and outdated. Very poor design indeed.

Just wait and see.. I guess most companies will have to learn from Apple Spotlight when it comes out as a lean mean efficient desktop search engine.

#9.3 Jugalator on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:23

It seems like this desktop search won't be much better, only supporting the formats MS implements support for, but I hope I'm wrong and Microsoft will support third-party search plugins via an API. That would automatically make them beat a whole lot of search engines, including Google's.

#9.4 bush on 14 Nov 2004 - 20:18

it indexes mp3 so don't lie here

#9.5 teste on 15 Nov 2004 - 14:11

google desktop search DOES NOT index MP3's
As for MSN desktop search, not tried it yet

i'm still waiting for google to release an updated version that indexes more file types, and possibly allows for others to extend the search via some kind of API.

#9.6 ev0| on 15 Nov 2004 - 16:45

Google desktop search DOES INDEED index mp3s. I can look for "bjork" and it comes up with the mp3s i have with her name in it. So STFU and stop spreading FUD.

#10 cjb1118 on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:18

Nice

, thanks Cream

#11 kainashi on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:19

looks great. can't wait to give it a try.

#12 AquaDex on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:21

grrrrr how much toolbars do we need for this sub-par web search, I suppose the desktop search will be great but still to much bars

#13 Xtremz on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:24

Leaked.

#14 joseph0324 on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:25

Deskbar and Toolbar looks nice.

I hope it comes out ASAP so I can compare with the Google's.

(2 replies) #15 bilbobaggins on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:40

Geez, how many writings have I read about the so-called privacy issues when Google came out with their desktop search extension. Now, I'd like to see the same writers expressing their opinion on having Microsoft index their hard drives

Last edited by 30625 on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:47

#15.1 threedaysdwn on 14 Nov 2004 - 21:34

I doubt Microsoft's search tool will have the gaping security holes that Google's does.

#15.2 Treefrog on 15 Nov 2004 - 02:44

You're basing this on what exactly? Microsofts pristine security history of it's other apps?

#16 Xtreme $niper on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:49

Eh I like my yahoo toolbar, so if this aint comin to yahoo, I aint using it. :p

(9 replies) #17 deadmonkey on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:49

Now if only Microsoft would add other features in OS X

#17.1 ThunderRiver on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:53

It would be a waste of money for Microsoft to do so as Spotlight will kick its arse in no time. History would play back again when Safari kicked IE off Mac platform.

#17.2 PCyr on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:28

Except that MSN Desktop Search has been in the works for some time.

Interestingly enough, spotlight looks like an XP Window with show in groups on

Side-by-side

So who stole from who now?

#17.3 noyb on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:43

Does it pre-date Apple WWDC ??? because the news article says that MS bought the company who's product that this search tool is based on back in July but the WWDC was in June.

Im confused could you please explain yourself a bit better, was the product bought in July 2003, because that might make sense.

#17.4 UnitedConfusion on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:56

Hehe.

Are you guys arguing over who introduced unreleased beta features first?

#17.5 noyb on 14 Nov 2004 - 18:04

No i was just pointing out that this has not been in the process of development for a long time but more a reaction to the efforts of Apple and Google, from what i have gathered from the posts i have read this product is pretty limited and sub par to their WinFS efforts, shame though my PC is in a state of chaos.

#17.6 NetRyder on 14 Nov 2004 - 19:59

This really doesn't look like it was designed to be like Spotlight. It's more of an answer to Google's Desktop Search. WinFS will be true integration with the file system.

#17.7 bogd on 15 Nov 2004 - 03:16

Interestingly enough, spotlight looks like an XP Window with show in groups on
...
So who stole from who now?

No one stole from anybody. I'm pretty sure grouping results by type is not an original idea, so of course they are going to look similar with different GUIs. There are only so many ways to group result.

#17.8 PCyr on 15 Nov 2004 - 05:10

That's pretty much what I'm saying. It's stupid to play the "who stole what from who" game. Ideas don't come out of thin air, but rarely are they a blantant copy.

#17.9 NeoReader on 15 Nov 2004 - 20:09

MS bought the company that made this search tool back in July, the software came with the company, . . . Which means this tool was being used before MS bought it. It used to be a plug-in for Outlook.

#18 lylesback2 on 14 Nov 2004 - 15:56

nice pics... i would give it a try if i used outlook and IE....

#19 Hurmoth on 14 Nov 2004 - 16:20

Looking good!

#20 Hidea on 14 Nov 2004 - 16:26

spotlight?!

#21 neufuse on 14 Nov 2004 - 16:26

well from the look of the screen shots, graphically it looks a lot better then googles

#22 bucko on 14 Nov 2004 - 16:28

Any spyware with it? Would be pretty usless for me since I know were I keep my files

(1 reply) #23 Lasker on 14 Nov 2004 - 16:29

I want to download, any leaked??????

#23.1 Xtremz on 14 Nov 2004 - 16:46

Yeh. CreamHackered computer.

#24 LastSamurai on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:12

MS working their asses off to keep up with google.

#25 XanDaMan on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:12

Oooh

Swish.

#26 BGuillaume on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:19

Well I'm waiting for the Yahoo reply that should be much more complete actually and also search in your webbased emails, calendar events, notepad, address book (already implemented in the Yahoo toolbar), briefcase files and folder and photo albums

(1 reply) #27 Jugalator on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:21

Ouch, it doesn't seem like they're going to support search plugins so we're stuck with whatever formats MS wish the desktop search to support.

How about beating the competitors some day?

I hope this won't be just another desktop search engine in the bunch with Google Desktop Search, Copernic, X1 and others. It would be awesome if Microsoft had an API for file formats to search so any developer could add e.g. mp3 ID3 tag search, Ogg Vorbis search, DivX metadata search, and so on. Not just Microsoft's own goddamned programs. Other search engines can already search those.

#27.1 UnitedConfusion on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:58

++

I hope, at the very least, it supports searching within PDFs, a la Copernic.

If it uses XP/2Ks indexing service (eh?), ifilters...

#28 whistlerxp on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:22

I don't like MSN, but I mean Wow, that is amazing

stunning... even.

#29 XanDaMan on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:22

I want this to intergrate into approcket.

But does approcket do this already?

#30 Porp on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:26

I'm looking forward to this.. Especially how Google Desktop Search can't compare at all. I've already started to use MSN Search (Beta) because of the nice blue design!

(1 reply) #31 Furrybeagle on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:31

Someone tell me what's the difference between hitting Ctrl-F and this. Same with Outlook. All this desktop search stuff is stupid. Really, it's like they did'nt even know about the search icon on the start panel.

The only difference is now it's in a toolbar and displays in HTML format.

Am I missing something here?

#31.1 Post-It Note on 14 Nov 2004 - 18:46

It makes searching faster. Comparing, 2 minutes on ctrl-F and <1 seconds on Desktop search.

(3 replies) #32 moeburn on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:31

How often do you people lose files? Sheesh.

#32.1 noyb on 14 Nov 2004 - 18:10

We don't lose them we just forget the last place we had them.

#32.2 SquareSoft0 on 15 Nov 2004 - 00:48

OMGT3hn00b.... oh, you're joking, I'M SAD

#32.3 noyb on 15 Nov 2004 - 14:24

huh?

(4 replies) #33 Cyranthus on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:36

useless! looks like a Start Menu search that just categorizes stuff... and Indexing Service is a big ass resource waste.

#33.1 tiagosilva29 on 14 Nov 2004 - 18:43

I second that.

#33.2 Mav Phoenix on 14 Nov 2004 - 20:43

Its not a waste.

#33.3 ev0| on 15 Nov 2004 - 16:53

maybe on your 300 Mhz Celeron A with 128 MB of ram, but most of us are running > 2 Ghz and 1 GB these days.

#33.4 Veiva on 15 Nov 2004 - 17:46

Most? Maybe most on Neowin...

I laugh a thee!

#34 aruvam on 14 Nov 2004 - 17:45

I use Agent Ransack and am planning to switch to File Locator Pro (the shareware version of agent ransack http://www.mythicsoft.com/features.aspx ) as it can search within archives and has loads of other enhancements. The results are fast, but not as fast as these tools since there is no indexing. I personally dont like indexing... I prefer to wait a few seconds for my results rather than have something running the background creating a HUGE file.

#35 slimy on 14 Nov 2004 - 18:12

cool

#36 XxDesmus_MODxX on 14 Nov 2004 - 18:33

i may just use it

(1 reply) #37 irate on 14 Nov 2004 - 19:12

worst screenshots ever. Could you have used a more annoying watermark?

#37.1 Axon on 14 Nov 2004 - 19:31

Dont temp em

(2 replies) #38 XxiNickxX on 14 Nov 2004 - 19:24

Agreed. It's Neowin, Where unprofessional watermarks look better.

#38.1 creamhackered on 14 Nov 2004 - 19:28

Other sites have stolen the pics we've posted in the past, this is a way to prevent it sorry about that. If you don't like it, go elsewhere.

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