Microsoft enters desktop search fray

 

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By Steve Malone

Posted on 14 Dec 2004 at 10:28

Following the lead of Google and Yahoo!, Microsoft has announced a 'beta' version of a desktop search tool, the 'Toolbar Suite'. Using the company's domination of desktop applications via Office and Outlook file formats, the company claims that the tool will be able to comprehensively index and search the broadest set of files amongst the rival offerings.

The MSN Toolbar Suite is, as its name suggests, a set of toolbars for a range of applications beyond the familiar MSN search tool for Internet Explorer. The suite also now includes replica toolbars for Microsoft Outlook and Windows Explorer. From any of the toolbars users can search the whole range of Microsoft file formats including Word, Outlook Contacts and PowerPoint, as well as Adobe PDF files. Of course, the toolbars all access web search results from MSN Search.

The company has added other features such as Windows Wheel which, like the recently introduced Google Suggest, attempts to guess what you are typing into the search bar and offers suggestions and alternatives.

Last week Microsoft released its 'Spaces' blogging tool which went a long way towards integrating communications between Spaces itself, MSN Messenger and Hotmail. Microsoft has now taken that one stage further by integrating Spaces with Messenger and Hotmail on the toolbars.

Microsoft has drawn on Windows to offer users increased security. By adding in Windows authentication and account management, Microsoft says it offers better protection from unauthorised access. It also will not cache potentially sensitive information such as files relating to bank accounts. Recently the Google desktop search has been criticised for lax security.

Stung by the criticism when it announced that desktop search - originally set to be part of Longhorn - and probably alarmed that Google and Yahoo! appeared to be encroaching on its desktop turf, Microsoft has turned out its desktop search tool with remarkable speed. Not since Bill Gates turned all his fire on the upstart Netscape has Microsoft competed so strongly in a market, matching Google and Yahoo! feature for feature and then some.

As the battle for search intensifies, it is becoming clear that the real battle is not for eyeballs on web search but for customer loyalty. By integrating its desktop search toolbars not only with Internet Explorer but also with Windows Explorer and Outlook, Microsoft is doing the smart thing; extending its reach into search from its strongholds on the desktop.

Whilst the strategy is less crude than that used to destroy Netscape, Google and Yahoo's lawyers will be watch Microsoft's strategy with interest. They will want to ensure that Redmond doesn't yet again use its monopoly trio of Windows, Office and Outlook to unfairly lever its way to dominance in search on the desktop and beyond.

You can download the beta version at beta.toolbar.msn.com