Finding your Stuff using Microsoft Desktop Search

The beauty of computers is that they can be used to store all of your stuff. The downside to this is that it is up to you to remember where you put your stuff on the computer. Sure, there are ways to search your computer for something, but most methods are cryptic, application specific and slow. Until now…

There are a number of very good personal search applications available for free from Google, Microsoft, Copernic and Yahoo for Windows based computers (i.e. I am not familiar with Mac software). I have tried them all. They all tend to perform the same basic functions in a similar fashion. Each product indexes your hard drive and your email. Each product allows you to search for things using simple words or advanced search terms.

For me, the Microsoft product worked best. As a Microsoft Outlook e-mail user, most of my stuff exists in Outlook. The Microsoft Desktop Search software worked the best for me when searching for items in Outlook.

The graphic titled Windows Desktop Search results illustrates how you search for something with Microsoft’s Desktop Search (MSD) Tool. MSD installs a search box on the bottom of your desktop. When you need to find something, you simply enter the search criteria in the search text box. MSD will do a quick search for “common things” that meet your search criteria. If you don’t immediately see the item you are looking for, click the Search Desktop button. From there you will be presented with a complete search of your e-mail and your hard drive (your My Documents folder). All of this happens in less than a second.

Below is an example of the search results page. In this example, it shows all of the e-mails I have containing a combination of the words “Getting Things Done”. On the left is a list of;

• Who the e-mail was From
• The Title
• When I received or sent the e-mail
• The size
• The name of the folder it resides in

On the right is a preview of the e-mail. To open the e-mail, I double click on the one I want and it opens Outlook and shows me the e-mail.

This same search works for documents, spreadsheets, Power Point presentations, PDF files, text files and just about anything else.

With Microsoft’s Desktop Search Tool, I no longer worry too much about where I store a document, email or spreadsheet. Even if I forget where I put something, I know I can always find it.

To try Windows Desktop Search Tool, click here and select the “Get It Now” button.

If you use something other than Windows Desktop Search to keep track of your stuff, let me know. Leave a comment. Thanks!