Windows Desktop Search version 2.6 is enabled for the enterprise

Microsoft Windows Desktop Search (WDS) version 2.6 is enabled for the enterprise. This article describes the features that are included in this version of Windows Desktop Search. This article also includes download information and the minimum system requirements.

Windows Desktop Search 2.6 extends the features and the value of desktop search into enterprise deployment. This version includes features that help the enterprise IT manager easily customize, deploy, and manage the installation of desktop search for all the users and all the computers in the organization.

Updated January 3, 2006 – This update reflects a refresh to the V2.6 build 2057 to build 2083 (02.06.0000.2083). This refresh provides a fix to correct cases where a user’s e-mail messages may not be fully indexed. The updated package (WindowsDesktopSearch-KB907371-V2-x86-xxx.exe, where xxx is the language designator) can be installed over the release of November 14, 2005 (V2.6, build 2057). A restart will be required in the case where you install over the earlier release (2.06.0000.2057). This update causes the index to be rebuilt.

Enterprise-enabled features

Windows Desktop Search 2.6 includes the following enterprise-enabled features:

• Fast deployment:
  • Deploy WDS by using Microsoft System Management Server (SMS).
  • Distribute WDS like other Microsoft Windows components by using the package installer. (The package installer was formerly known as Update.exe.)
  • Control software updates.
• Easy manageability:
  • Support Windows Group Policy.
  • Support a multiuser environment and users who are not administrators.
  • Use this fully globalized product with Multilingual User Interface (MUI) support.
  • Access many support options.
• Integration with enterprise search solutions:
  • Add the "intranet" location to the Windows Deskbar and to the desktop search results interface.
  • Search products such as Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server or Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services.
• Extensibility for new file types and for new data sources:
  • Easily add new file types by writing IFilter add-ins.
  • Easily add new data sources by writing protocol handlers.
  • Integrate desktop search results into other business applications by using the desktop search functions.

Download information

For more information about Windows Desktop Search, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

System requirements

• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), Microsoft Windows Server 2003, or Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, or a later version of one of these operating systems. 64-bit versions of Windows are not supported.
• 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM. 256 MB or more is recommended.
• Pentium 500 megahertz (MHz) processor or better. 1 gigahertz (GHz) is recommended.
• 500 MB of hard disk space. The size of the index depends on how much content is on the hard disk.
• A screen resolution of 1024 x 768.
• Microsoft Outlook 2000, Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0, or a later version of Outlook or of Outlook Express is required to index and search e-mail.

Note To see the full preview of Microsoft Office documents in the desktop search results, you must have Microsoft Office XP or a later version of Office installed.