Hot on the heels of Google, Microsoft released their own version of Desktop Search this month. Finally, Windows has the search utility it should have had years ago.

If you've ever tried to find files using the Search function originally included with Windows, you know that it can be a frustrating experience. The original desktop search program would often take many minutes (or more) to dig up what you're looking for. And often, it would just crash. Nice job, Microsoft (not!).

However, since Google's been consistently eating Microsoft's lunch in the cafeteria of search, the boys in Redmond decided to get off their lazy butts and go back to work. The result: MSN Toolbar Suite Beta.

Comparisons

Like Google's Desktop Search application (GDS), Microsoft's Desktop Search app (MDS) indexes all of your files upon first installation and then monitors file additions and changes in the background as you work. It stores all of this information in a database on your computer.

Unlike GDS, MDS does not work through a web browser interface. Instead, it integrates itself into Windows using a number of toolbars situated in different applications – in particular, Internet Explorer, Outlook (and Outlook Express), Windows Explorer, and the Windows Task Bar.

MDS Main Features