HomeGoogle Launches Windows Desktop App with Spotlight-Inspired PC Search Bar
Google is testing a new search application for Windows. A Tuesday blog post announced the app, currently accessible via Google Search Labs for personal accounts. It enables an Alt + Space shortcut to search across files on your computer, in your Google Drive, and the wider web.
The app features a Chrome-like installation and requires a sign-in. It also integrates Google's visual search tool, Lens, allowing you to select and search images on your screen or translate text. For example, you could highlight a math problem and use Google's AI Mode to find a solution.
Image: GoogleSimilar to the web search engine, you can filter results by All, AI Mode, Images, Shopping, and Videos, and toggle between dark and light themes. It functions much like Mac's Spotlight, helping you locate files, apps, and web content. While Windows has long offered built-in file and web search, it recently enhanced this with new Copilot Plus PCs.
Once installed, Google places a movable and resizable search bar on your desktop. You can minimize it with Alt + Space. The app also lets you turn AI Mode on or off and customize the launch shortcut via your profile picture and the Configurations menu.
Image: GoogleYou can try Google's new Windows app now by enabling the experiment in Labs. It is currently available only in English for users in the United States, requiring a PC running Windows 10 or later.
Updated September 16th: Includes additional details about the application.
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![FredLee]()
Finally, a Spotlight clone for Windows! 😅 I’ve been jealous of Mac users for years. Alt + Space to search local files AND Google stuff? That’s actually handy… if it doesn’t turn into another bloated widget. Still, knowing Google, they’ll probably ditch it in 18 months like Stadia. 🙃
Google is testing a new search application for Windows. A Tuesday blog post announced the app, currently accessible via Google Search Labs for personal accounts. It enables an Alt + Space shortcut to search across files on your computer, in your Google Drive, and the wider web.
The app features a Chrome-like installation and requires a sign-in. It also integrates Google's visual search tool, Lens, allowing you to select and search images on your screen or translate text. For example, you could highlight a math problem and use Google's AI Mode to find a solution.
Image: GoogleSimilar to the web search engine, you can filter results by All, AI Mode, Images, Shopping, and Videos, and toggle between dark and light themes. It functions much like Mac's Spotlight, helping you locate files, apps, and web content. While Windows has long offered built-in file and web search, it recently enhanced this with new Copilot Plus PCs.
Once installed, Google places a movable and resizable search bar on your desktop. You can minimize it with Alt + Space. The app also lets you turn AI Mode on or off and customize the launch shortcut via your profile picture and the Configurations menu.
Image: GoogleYou can try Google's new Windows app now by enabling the experiment in Labs. It is currently available only in English for users in the United States, requiring a PC running Windows 10 or later.
Updated September 16th: Includes additional details about the application.
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Finally, a Spotlight clone for Windows! 😅 I’ve been jealous of Mac users for years. Alt + Space to search local files AND Google stuff? That’s actually handy… if it doesn’t turn into another bloated widget. Still, knowing Google, they’ll probably ditch it in 18 months like Stadia. 🙃
