Windows Search 4.0 Preview on Vista, XP

What a difference an operating system makes. If you install the new Windows Search 4.0 Preview on Windows Vista, the changes are visually non-existent: Windows Vista with SP1, before WS 4.0 Preview: Windows Vista with SP1, after WS 4.0 Preview: OK, that's a joke, sort of: I'm using the same image in both cases, because Microsoft isn't visually changing anything. The changes are all under the hood. On Windows XP, however, it's a different story. Before installing WS 4.0 Preview, you get the silly "XP dog" search application. But afterwards, you get something that's very reminiscent of the old MSN Desktop Search tool: Windows XP, before WS 4.0 Preview: Windows XP, after WS 4.0 Preview: Interesting.

Paul Thurrott

March 28, 2008

1 Min Read
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What a difference an operating system makes. If you install the new Windows Search 4.0 Preview on Windows Vista, the changes are visually non-existent:

Windows Vista with SP1, before WS 4.0 Preview:

Windows Vista with SP1, after WS 4.0 Preview:

OK, that's a joke, sort of: I'm using the same image in both cases, because Microsoft isn't visually changing anything. The changes are all under the hood.

On Windows XP, however, it's a different story. Before installing WS 4.0 Preview, you get the silly "XP dog" search application. But afterwards, you get something that's very reminiscent of the old MSN Desktop Search tool:

Windows XP, before WS 4.0 Preview:

Windows XP, after WS 4.0 Preview:

Interesting.

About the Author

Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott is senior technical analyst for Windows IT Pro. He writes the SuperSite for Windows, a weekly editorial for Windows IT Pro UPDATE, and a daily Windows news and information newsletter called WinInfo Daily UPDATE.

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