Installing and using Google Desktop on your computer

Google Desktop is a program that lets you find files easily and quickly on your computer. You can type in several words, and it will find all your files that contain those words. It works just like Google on the internet, only it searches your own computer. You do not have to be connected to the Internet for it to work.

In most countries, Google Desktop can be downloaded from www.desktop.google.com. Unfortunately this does not work in Iran. But you can install the program below.

Installing Google Desktop

1. Click here to download the software to your hard drive.
   Warning: large file 7688 kb

2. Unzip the ZIP file.

3. Double-click on the GoogleDesktopSetup.exe file to install Google Desktop.

4. Follow the instructions in the setup software.

5. Once installed, Google Desktop will begin indexing the files on your hard drive. This may take several hours. It will update the index continuously while you work on your computer. This may slow your computer down a little, but the difference is not noticeable.

Running Google Desktop

1. Google Desktop will install a sidebar on your computer. Click on the sidebar menu and select Deskbar. This will give you a search box on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen that looks like this:
   

2. Type your search terms into the search box. A box will pop up showing how many files contain your search terms.
   

3. Click on "See all XXX desktop results in a browser" to see the files. You can then click on the files you want to open them.

Running Google Desktop in Outlook

1. Google Desktop also works inside Outlook. It puts a search box on the menu bar at the top of the screen. If you do not see this, in Outlook, right-click on an empty part of the menu bar and make sure there is a tick next to the Google Desktop item.
   

2. Type your search terms into the search box, then click on Search. A box will pop up with emails containing your search term.