CNET Editors' review
Simple, small, and free, Google Desktop indexes your hard drive the way the company's own servers index the World Wide Web. Your search results are returned in a Web-page format that looks very similar to the Google Web site, and the app's sidebar shows regular updates to your favorite programs, from e-mail to your My Pictures folder to RSS feeds and weather.
Although the initial indexing process can take a very long time--especially if you have a lot of e-mail, contacts, chat transcripts, and documents for it to parse through--it's well worth the wait to be able to search any of them from a text entry box that lives next to the Quick Launch bar. You'll still find the same basic gadget content: a music player, sports and stock tickers, a file shredder, and even some "wacky" items like an interactive plant. Along with e-mail updates, the weather, and current chats, the Desktop sidebar has a built-in to-do list, notepad, and the ability to integrate other gadgets with ease.
Version 5 is fully compatible with Windows Vista, emulating the rounded corners and translucent panels and capable of overriding the native Vista sidebar, allowing the user to swap one Big Evil Corporation out for another. There's also cross-indexing for multiple machines and sharing panel items directly with friends. The sharpest new feature is the preview window for search results, which saves a lot of time on clicking, opening, and closing.
Other programs with lighter feature sets may offer quicker and easier indexing and searching. Nevertheless, the efficient and feature-rich Google Desktop Search stands as yet another feather in the company's cap.
Watch the CNET video review of Google Desktop:
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Instantly find your e-mail, files, media, Web history, and chats. By making your computer searchable, Google Desktop Search puts your information easily within your reach. It frees you from having to manually organize your files, e-mail, and Web pages you've viewed.
Google 5 revamps the sidebar interface and many gadgets, while adding a new dialog for adding gadgets. Also new are previews of search results and security alerts for suspicious Web links. Version 5.1.705.14375 includes improved performance with Microsoft Outlook and various bug fixes.
What's new in this version: * Fixed the prior version's Outlook historical-indexing bug * Improved indexing performance of Outlook archived and moved mail * Google Desktop now opens the cached Outlook message if original message is unavailable * Fixed bug with sidebar appearance after screen resolution change * Fixed crash in Google Gears when exiting Internet Explorer * Various bug fixes and optimizations
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 424 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 37 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"TERRIBLE!"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
Nice interface
Cons
Google can't seem to get anything right anymore! Google desktop was installed on my new machine after trying previously with the same results.
If you move files around a lot Google Desktop (GD) fails to keep track of this. I move my files to different locations and GD has never done even a slightly good job at keeping track. Ditch this and find something else.
My PC is state of the art with well over 3TB of disk space and plenty of RAM using Win XP. It is 2 months old and is the 4th PC not not work with GD. I am going to Copernic!
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"Incomplete Indexing; Won't index Flash Memory"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
The format is user friendly
Cons
I've got 1600 emails in my inbox; Desktop finished indexing, and registers 1300 emails indexed. I did a search for a last name - it came up with 6 hits when there are over a dozen emails from that person (with name). I searched again, it showed 8 hits. All this with indexing purportedly complete.
Also, I have a Sandisk Cruzer with 4gb -- but it won't index flash drives.
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"really cool"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
the toolbar is just unparalleled. so much fun, it can waste a lot of time at work if youre bored. i hiiiiighly reccommend it!
Cons
the index took a while, and i couldnt search my files.
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"the best"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
this has the best side bar with lot of choices for stuff to put on it, i would recomend it
Cons
the best
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"Good, but could be better"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
Google's search technology is pretty much unparalleled and having it in action on your desktop can be incredibly useful. Due to its very comprehensive support for file types out of the box and its user extensibility via an open plugin architecture, it'll definitely find what you're looking for.
Cons
Unfortunately, Google felt the need to change what was once Google Desktop Search into Google Desktop. It's a big change - they've added a sidebar which enables the user to have 'Gadgets' on their desktop. While some of the gadgets offered are pretty nifty, all in all the attempt seems half-hearted and in the end rather pointless. When I think "Google," I think "search (and Gmail, I guess)," and that's all I really want out of the company. The search aspect of this application is superb but the rest of the features they've added in version 2 are, to me, essentially useless and, even worse, lacking of Google's trademark slick and minimalist UI.
If all you want to do is find files, other options like Copernic Desktop Search might suit you better (it also has a 250~ MB index on my machine, vs. Google's 1GB, and still finds everything I ever look for).
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"Thanks, but no thanks"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
free
Cons
My biggest complaint is that it wouldn't complete its scan. It would get to 40% and then start over again. This problem, natch, led to its immediate removal from my system.
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"Not Bad"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
Not bad but i get the feeling all the indexing is slowing down my system somewhat.
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"By far, the best productivity tool I have found!"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
I maintain LOTS of documents at work (mostly Word & Excel). Google Desktop enables me to quickly find any obscure file, even by entering a simple phrase found in the document. Also searches Outlook email files. Sure makes me look good to my boss and co-workers!
Cons
Sorry to say Google Desktop does not search emails within the new email server (First Class) we now use at work. Bummer, but not really Google Desktop's fault.
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"fantastic"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
i have to say this is really a BAR man, this has everything you need in one side of your screen, and when i mean everything i really mean it, you can have any kind of gadgets added to make it look cool, check your system performance, or email etc..
anything is really good to have, DOWNLOAD ITTTT!!!!!
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"Take too much computing power, Poor interface"
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros
Yes, Google Desktop Search is powerful, search everything you want. but.
Cons
When i first try this tool, it takes me hours to cache my disk!!! And the results is showed by pop-up brower window(slow my computer). For someone like me who usually search local files only. Try other simple app is better- like Ava Find, Instant File Find, Even Copernic
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