Google’s Windows desktop search bar now available to all users
▼ Summary
– Google has globally released a desktop app for Windows that functions similarly to macOS’s Spotlight search feature.
– The app is available for download and works on PCs running Windows 10 or newer operating systems.
– Users can activate it with Alt + Space to search the web, local files, and Google Drive, with different view options like Images and AI Mode.
– The app integrates Google Lens and screen sharing to allow users to ask questions about content on their computer screen.
– It is unknown if the app will come to macOS or Linux, though Google is reportedly testing a separate Gemini app for macOS.
Google has officially launched its new desktop search application for Windows users worldwide, making a tool that was in testing last year now available to the public. This global release, currently in English, allows anyone with a PC running Windows 10 or newer to download the app directly from Google’s site. The software functions as a powerful search hub, enabling users to query both the web and their local files with a simple keyboard shortcut.
By pressing Alt + Space, users can instantly summon the search bar. This interface provides a unified platform to find information across the internet, personal computer files, and content stored in Google Drive. The search results can be filtered into different views, including All, Images, and a dedicated AI Mode. For more contextual assistance, the app integrates Google Lens, allowing users to ask questions about what is displayed on their screen or even share their screen directly for help.
The availability of this app on other operating systems remains uncertain. Google has not commented on potential versions for macOS or Linux. However, the company is said to be experimenting with a Gemini app for macOS. Should that project move forward, it would position Google to compete directly with established AI chatbot applications on Apple’s platform, such as Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. For now, Windows users gain a new, native tool to streamline their search workflows across local and cloud environments.
(Source: The Verge)
