The new browser add-on from Microsoft also delivers a desktop search function, in competition with offerings from Google and Yahoo.
While Google has led the search industry for some time, Yahoo has been charging along trying to erode that lead. MSN has tagged along behind the two in the race for more market share and overall users.
MSN now has a bit of functionality to match the desktop search tool products from Google and Yahoo. The MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search has moved out of beta and may be downloaded from the MSN website.
Today’s release of the toolbar will be available for Windows 2000 and XP users. In addition to the new desktop search feature, the toolbar offers access to the various MSN services available online.
“By offering the most integrated desktop search capabilities for Windows, now people can search their PC as fast as they can search the Web,” said Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president for the MSN Information Services & Merchant Platform division at Microsoft in a press release.
Microsoft calls the release a powerful upgrade to desktop search services, in a bit of a swipe at its competitors. The search toolbar allows desktop searches to be launched from within other Windows applications like Outlook or Internet Explorer.
“The new MSN Search Toolbar makes it easy for customers to find precisely what they’re looking for, no matter where it resides,” said Mr. Mehdi.
The search tool can locate more than 200 file types, from text files to images to PDFs, and can also sift through e-mail attachments. Also, the toolbar works within the current Windows security model, so multiple users of a single PC can customize the software to their own needs.
Additionally, Microsoft has a corporate version of the search toolbar in development, in response to business requests. A beta version of the desktop search feature should be available by the end of the year.
David Utter is a staff writer for murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
