Google Desktop: How to Install, Configure And Get The Most Out Of It

If you’re a fan of Google’s revolutionary search engine capabilities, then you might appreciate Google’s very own Google Desktop. Some have even claimed that the super fast search engine defeats most operating systems’ search capabilities

Google Desktop searches every nook and cranny for your files, and that includes web page history, files, music, Gmail, photos, IM conversations, email, and much more. It’s true that Google Desktop easily cuts down on search time for lost files.

Installing Google Desktop

If you’re interested in what Google Desktop might have to offer you, it may make sense to install it. To install Google Desktop, you will simply need to navigate to http://desktop.google.com/index.html and press the big button that reads, “Install Google Desktop.”

Once you’ve pressed it, you’ll be prompted with a download for the installer that consists of just under 2 MB.

After the file is finished downloading, all you need to do is run it and follow the on-screen instructions. This mostly consists of agreeing to terms & conditions, giving the program brief instruction of what to search, and a few other small tasks.

Configuring Google Desktop and Getting the Most Out of It

After Google Desktop installation has completed, it’s time to see what it’s all about and configure it to work specifically to your liking.

Right-click on its icon in the Notification area. This will be on the lower right-hand side of your screen. Find the word, “Options” and click on it.

Google Desktop will open your Internet browser to display a screen where you can tweak it. Once you’re looking at this page, there are a couple of things that you need to make sure are checked.

Enable Content Indexing

All entries under “Search Types” except for “Password-protected Office documents (Word, Excel)” and “Secure pages (HTTPS) in web history. (However, you can check these if you’d prefer to.)

Also, be sure to look at the “Search Locations” area of the Options. Here, you can configure Google Desktop to exclude a location to search when using Google Desktop. For example, if you visit confidential websites or have confidential files and folders on your computer, you can add them to this area.

You also have the options to link your Gmail account to Google Desktop to enable searching of your email, turn on gadgets (and install more gadgets), and much more.

You can even configure the program to perform better by turning off encrypted index and data files, installing plug-ins, turning off the ability to show results as you type, and more. Overall, these are the best ways to configure Google Desktop to work the best for you.

Author - Britney Baker reviews prepaid cellphones for PrepaidCellphones.net. Her latest review looked at Tracfone.