Microsoft is joining rivals like Fast, Google, Verity and Yahoo by offering enterprises Desktop Search software.

The software can be added onto any Microsoft server product for free. It will run on Windows-XP and Windows 2000-based machines.

It promises integrated search across desktop files, emails and shared network files. The announcement follows the release of a consumer version last summer. The enterprise version is similar to the consumer version but is said to be easier to deploy and manage.

Customers can choose the MSN Search Toolbar which lets you view search results from within Outlook. It can be customised to give access to the users desktop, corporate intranet or the web.

A beta tester customer, quoted in the press release, said users typically felt comfortable using the software within 15 minutes.

Available in 15 languages Desktop Search can be downloaded for free from http://msdn.microsoft.com.®

Related stories

• Google Desktop finds Linux at last (28 June 2007)
• EFF issues Google Desktop warning (10 February 2006)
• Search usurping email as top internet activity (23 November 2005)
• Google wants your culture (22 November 2005)
• Microsoft searching enterprise for success (16 November 2005)
• Desktop search and malware: friend or foe? (13 October 2005)
• Gates previews Windows Vista and Office 12 (13 September 2005)
• Google uses Sidebar to sideline rivals (22 August 2005)
• Update Search Wars - the Empire strikes back (19 July 2005)