- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP
- Date added: June 25, 2007
- Total Downloads: 332,208
- Downloads last week: 770
- See full specifications
A newer version of Google Desktop is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 335 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
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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User reviews of Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
- Average user rating: 3.3 stars out of 335 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 30 user reviewsSee all 30 user reviews
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3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
"Update Not Identified By Google"
Pros: This program works as advertized to index the hard drive. However, although it is supposed to have auto update, it didn't. It's a good thing I subscribe to Cnet to let me know about updates.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros: I'm a die hard Google fan, love the indexing of gmail. The gadgets are also cool.
Cons: A little light on resources would have made it better. But i've the RAM to compensate.
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4 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros: I just use Google Desktop for its search facilities - the sidebar and widgets are too fiddly for me - but here it really excels. The range of supported file formats is impressive (including Open Document formats) and for me the real clincher is the integrated GMail indexing. (If you don't use GMail, Google Desktop will index Thunderbird and Netscape Mail as well as Outlook and Outlook Express.) Another delight is that with Desktop installed, Google web searches display matches from one's own hard disk, and emails, as well.
Cons: Some people seem to prefer a standalone interface, whereas Google Desktop displays its results in a browser window, just like any other Google results. I happen to like this - I find I'm increasingly doing everything through my browser - but if you don't, then Copernic or a similar app may suit you better.
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Version: Google Desktop 5.1.705.14375
Pros: Easy to find stuff on your computer, searches are fast
Cons: slowed down computer
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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!!!!!
- See all 30 user reviews Write review
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