The application provides a quick shortcut (Alt + Space) to search files on the computer, Google Drive storage, or the web.
Its installation process is similar to Chrome, requiring login, and it includes the integrated Google Lens feature for visual search. This allows users to highlight images on the screen or instantly translate text. The company explained that the new AI-powered mode can also solve mathematical problems when highlighted on the screen.
According to Google, the app lets users switch between multiple result modes: classic, AI-powered, images, shopping, and videos, with the option to choose between dark and light themes.
This experiment closely resembles the Spotlight tool on Mac devices, while Windows already offers a newly developed built-in search feature introduced with Copilot Plus PCs.
After installation, the app places a persistent search bar on the desktop that can be moved and resized, and minimized again with (Alt + Space). It also provides settings to customize the shortcut or disable the AI mode.
It’s worth noting that the application is currently available only in English for U.S. users, and requires Windows 10 or later.
The launch of Google’s app comes as Microsoft works to strengthen the role of AI in Windows systems through its Copilot assistant—making this new search app a direct competitor to Windows’ built-in AI-powered search tools.