Desktop Search Extensions

Summary: How to extend Windows Desktop Search

The MSN team now have an official guide for developers who want to extend desktop search: Windows Desktop Search Extensibility for Partners. They also post on various MSNSearchBlogs.

Add Desktop Search results to any application

Using the new APIs you can send a query to the Desktop Search engine from your own application. See the API documentation#WindowsDesktopSearchApi

Index new filetypes

See DesktopSearchIFilters for how to get IFilters that index any filetype you can think of

Use shortcuts to get more done

See DesktopSearchShortcuts for ways to use toolbar shortcuts to cut down on typing and get more done.

Write and call any script from a shortcut

You can write scripts using Javascript or VBScript and call them using the shortcut mechanism. Scripting allows greater control of the OS and the data sent and received from websites. In short, scripting creates some cool hacks!

Two examples are downloadable at http://www.accenture.com/boone . The first allows you to type "pr xxxx" to hear any word pronounced. The script goes to a dictionary site, extracts the audio file, and plays it. The second example allows you to type "map work to xxxx" or "map xxxx to home" to plot routes to and from your work or home address using Google maps. The script translates your 'work' and 'home' addresses for you before sending the address to the map server.

Brandon Paddock has some more examples , including:
* Installing on Windows Server 2003
* Get Rid of the buttons in the deskbar
* Keyboard shorcuts
* IFilters

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