Google Desktop

CNET Editors' review

Simple, small, and free, Google Desktop indexes your hard drive the way Google's own servers index the Web. Your search results are returned in a Web-page format that looks very similar to the Google Web site. The application's sidebar regularly updates the status of your e-mail, photos, RSS feeds, and weather.

Although the initial indexing period can crawl--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's installed 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 wackier items like an interactive plant. We like the Desktop sidebar's built-in to-do list, notepad, and the capability 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. 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 quite decorated cap.

Google Desktop - Search your hard drive for e-mail, files, and your Web and IM histories - Download Video Previews:

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.3 stars

    out of 431 votes

    • 5 star: 105
    • 4 star: 129
    • 3 star: 74
    • 2 star: 38
    • 1 star: 85
  • Current version:

    3.4 stars

    out of 51 votes

    • 5 star: 7
    • 4 star: 23
    • 3 star: 9
    • 2 star: 7
    • 1 star: 5
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 51

  • 4.0 stars

    "good stuff!!!"

    May 18, 2013  |   By swejack

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Easy to locate almost whatever youre looking for

    Cons

    cant really see any

    Summary

    can recommend it

    Reply to this review

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  • 1.0 stars

    "No longer supported by Google"

    February 19, 2013  |   By vomako2012

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Powerful search engine

    Cons

    As of September 14, Google Desktop will no longer be available for download, and existing installations will not be updated to include new features or fixes.

    Reply to this review

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Nice product, beats the win 7 desktop gadget"

    January 9, 2013  |   By rayroz

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Easy to set up and use

    Cons

    Some issues in regard to gadgets not being available when advertised and requires periodic re-installation.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Ok,This is Good,native windows search better."

    September 22, 2012  |   By brvnbld

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Very Less Memory usage.
    Indexing done faster than Windows Indexing.
    Option of Deskbar,floating bar and sidebars.
    Searches the web too.

    Cons

    Buggy Deskbar option.
    No support from google.
    Looks like cramped up version of windows search.

    Summary

    OH, Google Desktop Search, a product of google, which is the biggest giant in search engine. so should be the product.!!!
    Well, this was my 1st reaction before using this.

    Nah, this is just some whacked up version chrome and windows search.

    This was my reaction after using this.


    To be Simple.

    If u are looking for alternate desktop search, this is the best option.

    If u are addicted to windows search like me, u wont like it.

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  • 2.0 stars

    "Clean but outdated"

    August 5, 2012  |   By netsentry

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Unobtrusive, easy install, clean interface

    Cons

    Outdated widgets, some things don't seem to work anymore. I don't think this is supported by google any longer, but I could be wrong...

    Summary

    Meh, don't bother.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (1) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "Can't live without Google Desktop"

    July 26, 2012  |   By karenbcnet

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Google Desktop can find anything you want on your computer. It's far superior to Microsoft's Windows search. I have 17 years worth of work on my computer that I regularly have to search. When Google announced they were discontinuing it, I was unhappy. Thanks, CNET, for making it available. I just got a new computer and don't know what I would have done without being able to reinstall Google Desktop.

    Cons

    It was discontinued by Google. #Fail

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  • 1.0 stars

    "extremely unpleasant experience"

    May 29, 2012  |   By hygicell

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    how is it that Cnet demands 10 characters minimum either on the pros or the cons? what if there are either no pros, ... or no cons? like in my case, on this specific product?
    and how is it that one is expected to give a minimum of one half star (which gives a positive impression) to get their comment published?
    how come there are no negatives possible?
    please go on reading, Cnet

    Cons

    same here (oops, reluctantly needed to add some characters)
    just as I reluctantly was forced to add one half star before Cnet would even consider to post my comment, for which by the way Cnet specifically asked in a personal mail
    please go on reading, Cnet

    Summary

    thank you for continuing to read, Cnet
    after my Windows Explorer was somehow suddenly hijacked by Google Chrome (I could no longer perform any searches on my harddisks, as when clicking on the search button, instead of the options for a search, an ad for Google Chrome kept popping up in the search window each and every time). I spent over 15 hrs to try and get rid of this, scanned my computer repeatedly for malware and adware, found nothing, found no help, not even hints on how clicking the search button in Windows Explorer could possibly lead to anything else than the options for a harddisk search, no help at all, even no mention of this problem on the Internet, so I finally had to give up. I was left no other choice but to go look for another desktop search engine. Google Desktop seemed to score best, so... While I am very much inclined to be a Google fan, especially with Google Sketchup (I use it all the time, the Pro version, registered !), I abhor being forced out of choice.
    I am in no mood to seriuosly review Google Desktop, sorry, because meanwhile, my windows explorer still allows me no searches and keeps redirecting me to Google Chrome. I hate this.
    So Google, please give me a break !!!
    I do hope Cnet will post this cry for help
    Frank

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Invaluable tool, but hungry on disk space"

    March 14, 2012  |   By dvmistry

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Able to search emails, documents, web searches
    Indexing can done in background

    Cons

    Very hungry on disk

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Great Desktop enhancement with many "gadgets" available"

    March 11, 2012  |   By karpicdm

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    Provides easy access to time, weather and news items with minimal effort.

    Cons

    Some of the gadgets that are supposed to be available will not install on my computer (Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3)

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  • 3.0 stars

    "ok.. great app but it is taking some days.. to indexing"

    February 6, 2012  |   By dharanisv

    Version: Google Desktop 5.9.1005.12335

    Pros

    taking lot of time..

    Cons

    very good utility

    Summary

    must have... but accept good updates also...

    Reply to this review

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Results 1-10 of 51

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