Windows Search 4 KB940157

Dumb question. Is Windows Search 4 a new version of the Windows XP search companion? The one with the very happy dog animation.

 

Thanks for your reply Evan. The video demo says it all. When I go to microsoft update site and do a custom scan I get the Windows search come up, but with a size of 0 KB? Any other place I've seen it listed as 5.3MB

I have XP SP3 Home edition

 

Alicia,

Here's the url from Microsoft:

www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/choose/windowssearch4.mspx?tab=Install It

 

On a related note, you can also try Agent Ransack from www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/.

It is faster on unindexed content.

 

Does anyone else see the file size as 0 KB on microsoft update site? I'm curious.

 

Yes, if I decide to install it, I will download it from the link you gave me. Thanks Evan. I'm not sure if I would make use of the extra features. I don't have the indexing service turned on currently. Does it need to be on for Windows search 4?

 

Hi Alicia,
Yes the thing will work without indexing but slows the search feature down. Users who choose "desktop" (power) search applications usually desire/need the ease and speed that indexing allows such searches. Their search needs are frequent and often require sifting through hundreds of "like files ".

This is a desktop search and is only really needed by those who have and use such on a regular basis, users who have zillions of docs, pictures or emails and need to search through them, when a fetch needs to be done. It is the special organizational/save file type features that make it so appealing. It sounds like you may not have a need to use an app such as this. Why don't you try "AgentRansack" as suggested? This is a great substitute for windows built in search. It is often recommended.

Still, as a curiosity, I can't blame you for wanting to give "Windows Search 4" (Windows Desktop Search) a shot. I have downloaded and played with many an app before it lost the thrill, only to uninstall it once the newness wore off. "AgentRansack" will still be around. You may want to keep it in the back of your mind.

 

Alicia,
If you have your windows update set to download the updates and then ask you when you want to install it, that may be the explanation for the "0" in the download size. In other words it has been downloaded to your computer already and all you have to do is the install, and not the dowload.
I have noticed this many times because that is how my update is set.

 

Thanks for the info and the link Evan.

Ackerberg, I have my updates set to notify only.

Ann I think you're right. Doesn't sound like I really need the windows search 4
I'll have to check out the Agent Ransack option. Thanks.

 

Hi Alicia J,

I almost feel like a party poo.per. I'd feel guilty except that I have Vista with this built in and I still prefer and use Agent Ransack which more than fills my search needs.

Your most welcome and thank you for the update.

 

Perhaps when I have time to play Evan.

What party? Did I miss a party?

 

Alicia,
I just downloaded this months updates from MS and above each update there was: 0 download, already downloaded, etc.
I copied the exact words but when I rebooted the copy got wiped out, unfortunately.
Hope this clarifies your question.

 

Where do the updates get downloaded to? I just went to the catalogue and did it myself since I can't get it to D/L and install using MU to work. Thanks for the info.

 

Alicia,
Open IE and go to tools -> Windows update. Hit that and then wait to select custom install. Then it will take a while to look over your computer and eventually you will get a screen asking to install SP3 or to select get other updates, which is what you want. It will then take more time and eventually you will get screen with the available updates. For each update it will tell you if it has already been downloaded. If it has and you want the update, leave the box checked. Otherwise uncheck the box for any update you do not want . There is also the option to hide the update in the future so it is not presented again. I hope this helps.
If none of the updates have been downloaded. select the ones you want and hit download and install -- and let it run.

 

I use MU and do custom installs.

 

Hi Alicia,
You can control where the update downloads to. See if this helps:
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Windows-Update-Catalog.html

Note the picture that explains; after you pick and choose which updates you wish, and after viewing your download basket, you click on the "download now" link. You should have a link which allows you to "browse to" or select any folder on your hard drive you wish to use. I'm not sure where or if it would download to a default folder if not selected but further along the site link it explains that if you view your update history the download location should also be displayed. Barring that you can always search your harddrive using "ransack"

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Shoot! Let me switch to hubby's comp, which is Xp versus my vista, so I can see what your seeing....be back in a bit.

Well, I thought vista update catalogue was going to look different than xp's but they're the same. So forget the ^above link, unless you prefer the v6 site, and try this ( which is the v7 site) :
*Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog

*If this is the first time here an activex control will have to be installed by ms. Allow this to happen by following dirrections.

*Once installed your good to go.

*There is several options that can be used to filter your search but the following will be a general xp shopping trip (for lack of a better discription since we're using a catoloque)

*Type xp in the search line at top right corner. Sort by date. (either oldest to newest or as I have done from newest to oldest)

*Pick and choose which update you wish. (Remember there is an order in which many of these should be installed so if your unsure it may be better to first use the v6 site to have a scan to see which updates ms detects you need) .

*When done click on the "view basket" link (top right)

*Click on "download "

*From the popup choose where the download goes or browse to a folder of your choice.

*Progress of download will show, when done click close.

*Close windows when ready to install what you've downloded.

*Remember to disable antivirus and anything else that may cause install to fuss, and install it/them when your ready.