Windows Search

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The search pane in Windows 11 showing suggested/recent files on the left and Bing search on the right.
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Initial release	January 30, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-01-30)
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Predecessor	Indexing Service, Windows Desktop Search
Service name	Windows Search (WSearch)
Type	Desktop search
Website	https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17190/windows-10-search-for-anything

Windows Search (formerly MSN Desktop Search, Windows Desktop Search, and the Windows Search Engine) is a content index and desktop search platform by Microsoft introduced in Windows Vista as a replacement for the previous Indexing Service of Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, designed to facilitate local and remote queries for files and non-file items in the Windows Shell and in compatible applications. It was developed after the postponement of WinFS and introduced to Windows several benefits of that platform.

Windows Search creates a local Index of files — audio tracks, documents, folders, programs, photos, and videos — as well as of non-file items such as contacts and messages of Microsoft Outlook and their metadata for which users can perform incremental searches based on details such as contents, dates, names, types, and sizes; the Index consists of prose within files and items and metadata properties. Control Panel and Settings can also be searched.

Windows Search was introduced to enhance search result rapidity, simplify data discovery, and to unify desktop search platforms across Microsoft Windows; it was available as an optional download for Windows 2000 and Windows XP. It has received several updates since its introduction and it is also available in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.