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Windows Desktop Search
Windows Desktop Search
Heinz Tschabitscher
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Windows Desktop Search 2.1 - Email Search Tool

From Heinz Tschabitscher,
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The Bottom Line

Windows Desktop Search lets you find emails, attachments, contacts, files and more in an easily accessible yet flexible interface. By default, it only searches Outlook and Outlook Express, however, and no instant messaging conversations. Results are also not available in real time.
Pros
  • Windows Desktop Search finds emails, attachments, files and more precisely and fast
  • Conversations are threaded in Windows Desktop Search, some cross-references are established
  • Windows Desktop Search offers some options for advanced searches, many categories to sort
Cons
  • Windows Desktop Search does not search Hotmail, instant messaging or non-Microsoft email clients
  • You cannot set up smart folders in Windows Desktop Search
  • Windows Desktop Search does not index in real time

Description

  • Windows Desktop Search finds local documents, emails, attachments, contacts and more.
  • Email clients searched by Windows Desktop Search are Outlook Express and Outlook.
  • Search results in Win Desktop Search can be sorted using many criteria including date and relevance.
  • Windows Desktop Search organizes threads of email messages in their logical order and previews them.
  • You can open messages directly in Outlook or Outlook Express, and Outlook offers other actions, too.
  • Many operators are available for advanced searches (To:, Cc:, Subject:, folder, size,..).
  • The file types and programs found by Windows Desktop Search can be expanded with iFilter plug-ins.
  • Windows Desktop Search supports Windows 2000/XP.

Guide Review - Windows Desktop Search 2.1 - Email Search Tool

Windows has a file search tool. No really. It can even index the documents for faster finding on Windows 2000 and XP. Except Windows search does not work. Windows Desktop Search does, and it finds not only the documents on your computer but also emails (optionally including attachments), contacts, notes and calendar items.

Using a slick interface built into Internet Explorer and toolbars for the task list and Outlook, you can perform pretty clever searches and sort the results to pinpoint the needed information. Integrating well with Outlook, you can open, reply, forward or even print the messages directly from Windows Desktop Search. Outlook Express is supported in a less sophisticated manner. You can search for related contacts and dates easily, though, and Windows Desktop Search associates conversations in logical threads.

It is really a pity that Windows Desktop Search is not more inclusive. You cannot search instant messaging conversations (not even those done in MSN Messenger), you cannot find messages stored in Hotmail, and users of email clients other than Outlook and Outlook Express are out of luck as well unless they can find a plug-in enabling their software. Using many operators that target properties of emails, contacts and files you can build advanced and precise searches in Windows Desktop Search.

While Windows Desktop Search is conveniently staying in the background, only indexing when the computer is idle, more real-time results would be nice.
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