Windows 7: Windows Desktop Search...NG...!

I am trying to find/install Windows Desktop Search for 64 bit Home Pro. When I download the version from MS, it says it is not applicable to my computer. What am I doin/not doing to cause this. The version on MS download page says for Vista and server 08 or something. Is there a version out there for Windows 7...?

Unclepine in Winterpeg

You don't need to download anything. Windows search is built into the system. You can check if it is enabled by going to "Control Panel", "Programs and Features";




More information and how to use;

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...windows-search

Regards....Mike Connor

Thanks Mike. It was turned on. I was under the impression from another blog that it was a specific software. I guess I was hoping the built in search would be a bit more exacting. It seems I can't search for individual files from folders on my desktop...?

Yes, you can do that, there are instructions at the link I posted;

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...windows-search

Specifically for files and folders;

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...file-or-folder

If you want an alternative right now, then try this;

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/search_my_files.html

Regards....Mike Connor

Many thanks Mike, you are a gentleman and a scholar as they say...! Will check back tomorrow, gotta hit the sack.

Thanks again,
Laurie

My pleasure.

Regards....Mike Connor

Thanks for the help Mike. I poked around in the control panel and such, and found a couple other things that were unchecked and rebooted the system and now I can find darn near EVERYTHING...!! Sweet...!

You da man, will return often if needed, great site for us 'ol farts that are forgetful and no where NEAR as sharp as the youngins...

Cheers, Laurie

Great to hear it turned out well for you.

Regards....Mike Connor

The solution provided doesn't work -- if one wants WDS 3.X x64, then referring the user to the builtin Windows 7 v4 desktop search isn't a solution as it is a downgrade in functionality.


WDS 3.0 was released with the major feature being:

Windows Desktop Search 3.0 that adds: support for indexing UNC files.

WDS 4.0 removed the ability to index UNC files and, instead, added the ability to read remote Microsoft-indexes of UNC files. Meaning any remote file that isn't on an expensive MS Server won't be in any index.

Amusingly, even though WDS4.0 "can't index remote UNC files directly", their Windows Home Security V2.0 product has no problem examining each file for possible infections with no requirement for remote index support.


Amazing that examining remote files for thousands of specific signatures, can be done but user-searching is disabled.