Microsoft puts more muscle behind Windows and Web search

There may be no new news on the Microsoft-Yahoo front, but that doesn't mean there's nothing happening in the Microsoft search space.

On June 3, Microsoft released the final, downloadable version of Windows Search 4.0 via Microsoft Download Center. Microsoft made available to testers in March a preview version of the updated Windows Search technology. When installed on Vista Service Pack (SP) 1 systems, Windows Search 4.0 updates and replaces the existing serach files. On XP and Windows Server 2003, Windows Search extends the existing search functionality.

According to company officials, among the new features Microsoft added to Windows Search 4.0 since March:

• Faster querying and indexing ("how much faster depends on the machine and the data," according to company officials)
• Improved reliability ("system failures won't get in the way of the indexer and all data will be scanned and available for searches," according to a spokesperson)
• Broader PC-to-PC searches (a k a "Remote index discovery")
• More Group Policy controls over aspects of search functionality

On June 4, Microsoft Research unveiled "SearchTogether," an Internet Explorer 7 plug-in that allows users to do group search. Those connected can chat, comment on results, make recommendations and perform other group search tasks as a unit.

Microsoft also announced a new and more intuitive version of its "Search and Give" campaign on June 4. Schools, charities and other groups use Search and Give to fundraise; every time a user employs Live Search to perform a query, Microsoft donates money to a given cause.

Earlier this week, Microsoft also announced a new toolkit for customizing 404 error pages that users receive when their searches turn up no results. The Web Page Error Toolkit allows users to create 404 pages with customized error messages, plus search results containing specific keywords.

On the Web search side of the Microsoft house, one of Microsoft's biggest problems remains the branding. When I ask users whether they've tried Microsoft's Live Search, the majority don't realize that Microsoft's destination search site is "www.live.com." They know Microsoft has a search engine on the MSN.com page, but that's it.

Microsoft continues to make noise about fixing its Live branding. No doubt the Redmondians' on-again/off-again dealings with Yahoo have put any planned rebranding effort on hold.