Reviews of Microsoft Windows Search for Windows XP / Server 2003

1. 
   jason.donner81

   Reviewing 4.0 (Aug 9, 2009)

   I would never use the integrated windows desktop search software cause its features does not satisfy me...and it's not as fast as possible.
   over that, google DS is called to be some kind of unsafe concerning your personal datas.
   In our company, we use the outlook plug-in LOOKEEN for searching desktop files and outlook mails likewise. so we spare time and money...
   Lookeen provides furthermore features, so it is able to search shared index in network.
   the link is:
   www.lookeen.net
   
   greezt, jason
2. 
   halc

   Reviewing 4.0 (Apr 17, 2009)

   Good idea, bad execution:
   
   1. Does not install/uninstall/re-install cleanly - can foul up its own settings: end result is errors in previewing indexed search hits
   
   2. Unreliable indexing on a huge number of files / multiple filters (MS only): resets the index to zero and starts indexing again from scratch
   
   3. All search functions disabled while indexing is in progress (cf. above)
   
   4. Arbitrary / not user-selectable file size limit on files to be indexed (e.g. cannot index big PDF files)
   
   5. Does not support various file types properly for full contents indexing (e.g. djvu)
   
   6. Several usability quirks that only MS can manage - too long list to be detailed here, but one of the most important is that there are almost no user selectable settings to configure anything - just locations and file types
   
   Very unreliable - not ready for prime time.
   
   Will try again with Search 5.0 to see if the bugs are fixed.
3. 
   roj

   Reviewing 4.0 (Aug 1, 2008)

   Not ready for prime time.
   
   Produces a MAPI2 error that is quite common if one Googles - but the solution is anything but.
   
   Take this crap back and test more thoroughly M$ - it's just more of the same we've come to expect from you of late.
   TWO stars.
4. 
   belthurgp

   Reviewing 4.0 (Jun 5, 2008)

   WDS has always worked for me and it's getting better with each release.
   
   Copernic might be good, but WDS is just as good or better.
5. 
   testman

   Reviewing 4.0 (Jun 5, 2008)

   aszure, you are completely wrong. An earlier version is NOT installed with Office 2007 Pro (or any version of Office). What you do get is a prompt to download and install it when you launch Outlook 2007. If you say no, you just get the regular built-in search.
   
   As for this app, pretty good. Still not sure about the interface though (Copernic looks better) but on the whole it's pretty good.

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