Google launches app for Windows. See how to download it.

This week, the Google launches app for Windows officially Your new desktop search app for Windows 10 or later., now available globally in English. The tool offers a similar experience to macOS Spotlight, bringing together in a single shortcut searches on the internet, in local files and in Google DriveIn addition, it offers features such as Integrated AI mode and Google Lensallowing users to search for content directly from the screen. The goal is to centralize searches and make computer use more efficient in everyday tasks.

Features

Beyond the proposal to centralize searches, the Google for desktop It stands out for bringing together a set of smart functionalities which make the experience more agile, integrated, and contextual in everyday life. Below, see how each of these functions works and how they can optimize simple tasks directly in your workspace.

Access the search box.

One of the main advantages of Google for desktop It's quick access to integrated search box, which can be opened at any time using the shortcut Alt + SpaceOnce activated, the application displays a floating window in the center of the screen, allowing you to start a search without having to open your browser. The goal is to offer a fast and seamless experience, similar to tools already known in other systems, but with all the power of [the new application]. Google search directly on the computer.

By typing in the bar, the user can search both in Internet both in terms of local content, such as computer files, installed applications and even documents stored on Google DriveThe results appear in an organized and dynamic way, with options to navigate between different categories, such as All, Images e AI mode, making it easier to refine your search in just a few clicks.

In practice, its use is quite intuitive: by pressing Alt + SpaceYou can, as in the example above, type something like "Digital marketing trends 2026" and access web results without opening a browser.

Search with Lens

Another highlight of Google for desktop It's the integration with the Google Lens, which expands the way to search by allowing the use of images and visual elements as a starting point. Instead of typing a question, you can simply use the feature to analyze what's on your screen and get immediate answers. This functionality transforms the application into a more interactive tool, connecting the smart search with the user's visual context.

The operation is simple: when you open the search box on Alt + Space, just activate the Google Lens and select an area of ​​the screen or share a specific window. From there, the system automatically identifies displayed texts, objects, products, or even locations, providing related results in a few seconds.

In the example above, a photo of the former soccer player was saved. Sir Robert “Bobby” CharltonWith the photo saved on my computer, I launched the app. Google It is like LensI selected the area of ​​the photo to search for who the person in the photo was.

Search and ask with screen sharing

Another advanced feature of the application is the ability to... Search and ask questions based on screen sharing.This makes the experience even more contextual. Instead of relying solely on keywords, the user can allow the application to "see" what is being displayed on the computer and, from that, generate more precise answers. This feature is especially useful for tasks involving the interpretation of visual content, reading documents, or navigating complex pages.

The usage is straightforward: upon opening the search box with the shortcut Alt + Spacejust select the option share the screen (Share screenFrom there, you can ask questions related to the displayed content, such as requesting a summary of a textto clarify doubts about a graph or to better understand technical information.

As an example, we open an article published here in a browser tab. showmetechThen screen sharing was enabled in the app's search tab, making it possible to ask something like "Summarize the main points of this text" ou "Explain this data in simple terms."See a practical example in the image below:

After the question, the Google app for desktop interpreted the screen content and responded with the AI modeSee the search results in the image below:

How to download Google for Desktop

to download the Google for Desktop on WindowsThe process is simple and quick: just access the official website Google Search and click on the option Download the appOnce the download starts, the file will be automatically saved to your computer and, in a few seconds, it will be ready to open. When you run the installer, the application will only ask you to log in with your account. Google account to synchronize your preferences, history, and personalized features. In just a few clicks, the Google app for desktop It will already be active, allowing access to the integrated search bar directly on your PC.

After downloading and logging in with your account GoogleThe application opens a box (image above) requesting access permissions to the files on your computer and your... Google DriveTo accept and have the full experience of the tool, simply click on “Done".

Versions for macOS and Linux

So far, the Google for desktop It was released exclusively for the Windows, and there is still no official confirmation about a version for MacOS ou LinuxThe company did not detail concrete plans to expand the application to other operating systems, which raises questions about the tool's distribution strategy outside the Windows ecosystem. This lack of positioning reinforces a well-known pattern from Google, which historically prioritizes browser-based solutions, such as... Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), instead of developing native desktop applications across multiple platforms.

Despite this, there is evidence that the Google Apple continues to explore alternatives, especially within the Apple environment. Recent information suggests that the company is testing an application from... Gemini all with MacOS, which may indicate an indirect path to bringing similar functionalities, especially those based on artificial intelligence, to the users of this system.

And you? What did you think of the new app? Google for DesktopDo you plan to download and use it daily? Tell us in the comments below.

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Sources: The Verge, Google, 9to5Google e Google.