Windows Search

Think of ‘search’ and you automatically think ‘Google’, so it’s a shock to find that Microsoft’s Desktop search tool outperforms the Google equivalent. The deciding factor is that, while Google Desktop automatically includes and promotes web results, Windows Search keeps the focus on your PC.

Type in a search term and a box will instantly appear bearing a list of relevant results, categorised by file type. You don’t even need to press Enter (unlike Copernic), because matching results appear as you type. If you do hit Enter, a larger results window appears where you can further filter the matches.

Windows Search will mix in web results but only if you ask, and that’s exactly how a good Desktop search tool should be.