Google Launches AI-Powered Desktop Search App for Windows

Google has globally released a new desktop search application for Windows. The app combines web and local file search with AI features, including Google Lens integration. It is currently exclusive to Windows, with no announced versions for macOS or Linux.

Availability and System Requirements

The application is now available for global download in English from Google's website.

To use it, a device must be running Windows 10 or a newer version of the operating system. Once installed, users can quickly activate the search interface using the Alt + Space keyboard shortcut.

Core Features and Functionality

The application provides a unified search interface with several key capabilities:

• Search Scope: Users can search both the public web and files stored locally on their computer or within their Google Drive account.
• Results Filtering: Search results can be organized into different view categories, including All, Images, and AI Mode.
• AI and Visual Tools: The app integrates Google Lens, allowing users to ask questions about content visible on their computer screen. It also includes screen-sharing functionality.

Background and Design

Google initially announced it was testing this Windows desktop application in the previous year. Multiple sources note that the application's design resembles the Spotlight search feature found in Apple's macOS operating system.

Platform Strategy and Future Plans

The application is specifically released for the Windows platform.

Google has not announced plans to release this particular application for macOS or Linux operating systems. The company has not responded to requests for comment regarding potential expansion to these other platforms.

Separately, according to reports, Google is testing a different application named Gemini for macOS. If released, the Gemini application would compete with existing AI chatbot applications on that platform, such as Anthropic's Claude and OpenAI's ChatGPT.