Google has largely refrained from creating its own native desktop applications — even requiring users to rely on a web browser for tools like Google Docs, Google Sheets, and others. However, it appears that the company is now shifting gears with its new Google app for Windows.
According to Google, the purpose of the app is to “assist you in finding what you need” more swiftly than before. It bears a strong resemblance to other Windows applications like Everything, which are designed to facilitate quick searches for files, folders, and more on your computer. Nonetheless, the new Google app for Windows goes beyond this functionality.
In addition to enabling searches of local files, Google mentions that the app will also let users search for files within their Google Drive and look for information on the internet itself. This app is part of an ongoing Google Search Labs initiative and is currently available exclusively for Windows. To try it, you’ll need to activate the experiment first and then click Download app.
Google power at the touch of a button
A notable advantage of this app is that it can be managed using a straightforward set of keyboard shortcuts. To bring up the search bar, simply press Alt + Space, and you can begin typing what you wish to find. The app will consolidate search results from the web, local files, and Google Drive. It does operate on a single account, so searching across multiple Google accounts for the required file won’t be possible.
Additionally, the app features Google Lens directly integrated, allowing you to select and search anything visible on your screen at any time, similar to how you would on an Android phone that employs Google’s Gemini AI features like Circle to Search. The advantage here is that you can easily translate images and text or utilize Google’s AI Mode for assistance in answering questions and explaining concepts.
The app is also quite customizable. After you install it on your computer, you can click your profile picture to access a menu that includes options to switch the theme from light to dark, set the keyboard shortcut for launching the app, and modify the app’s access to your Drive and local files at any point. A Windows 10 PC is required to use the app.
