Gmail is built on the idea that email can be more intuitive, efficient, and useful. And maybe even fun. After all, Gmail has: 1. Less spam: keep unwanted messages out of your inbox. Mobile access: get Gmail wherever you are, from any device. Customizable tabs: you can see what's new at a glance and decide which emails you want to read. Meet from anywhere. Get the whole crew together in Google Meet, where you can present business proposals, collaborate on chemistry assignments, or just catch up face to face. Businesses, schools. For Windows 10/8.1/8/7 32-bit. For Windows 10/8.1/8/7 64-bit. This computer will no longer receive Google Chrome updates because Windows XP and Windows Vista are no longer supported.
Google is the most widely used search engine in the world, with over 3.5 billion searches per day. Since its launch in 1998, it's continually proven to be the most trusted web search engine out there. Google itself has since branched into multiple highly profitable business arms. Google Search for Windows 10 is a desktop and mobile app that takes the browsing out of the browser, for a sleeker and slightly more functional experience. Windows' attempt to make its users search via its native Bing led to the community feeling pigeonholed. Users with Windows devices were forced to open a mobile app browser to perform a Google search, until this app's inception in 2012. Its latest version also gives users access to other Google apps and provides a voice-activated search function. Anyone with a Windows device, who prefers a Google search over Bing, should consider this option.
Search whatever you want in the blink of an eye
Google Search finally gives Windows users the ability to use their favorite search tool via an app, but leaves the community wondering if its functionality is worth the download.
Windows device-using Google fans finally have an app to perform web searches with Google Search for Windows 10. Previously, those with Windows devices (computers, phones, tablets) were forced to open a browser app to access Google. That presented awkward navigation and a clunky user experience, frustrating users who just want these big tech companies to play nice. Windows device users can finally perform their internet searches via the Google Search app now, finally filling the gap. The Google Search app for Windows 10 devices has basic Google Search functionality (as one would find within a browser), with a cleaner, mobile-optimized look and feel. Enjoy the highly rated voice-enabled search function within the app as well, making quick searches a breeze. With so much of the world turning to voice-enabled living, Google Search is clearly listening to its userbase by including this feature.
Look and feel
The overall aesthetic of the Google Search app for Windows 10 is impressive. It's simple, easy to use, and everything is where you would expect to find it. Wouldn't it be nice to know what a webpage looks like before clicking on a particular search result? Upon executing a search within the app, 'Instant Previews' pop up with a visual of the top page results from your search. This helps you make a quicker, more informed decision as you choose which page to click. Search result websites are opened within the app itself. However, there is an option to 'Open in Browser'. The feature 'Find in Page' is very handy and a definite advantage over searching within a simple browser.
Additional Google apps can also be accessed via a portal within the Google Search app, further helping Windows users easily access their Google services. Gmail, Calendar, Drive, News, Photos, Maps, YouTube, Translate, Voice, Finance, and Books are some of the most popular services users can reach via the Google Search app. While these web apps open within the Google Search app, the key functionality and purpose of the app remains the search function itself.
Users can swipe up from the bottom of the app or right click to access more options. Search on your terms by easily adjusting the Google Search Settings including whether or not to record search history on that particular device. You can also clear search history from each device. A full app tutorial is available for users needing a better understanding of how to use the service.
Security and privacy
Safety within the Google Search app are the same as with any Google search or service. Google's Privacy Policy is surprisingly user-friendly and easy to understand. Unlike most privacy policies which are mostly walls of text, Google seems to actually want the user to understand how their data is being used, providing artistic and descriptive videos to help lift the fog. Google collects standard information including search terms, videos watched, ad views and interactions, purchases, etc. They claim they collect this data in order to better provide, maintain, improve, and develop their services.
Where can you run this program?
Google Search app runs on devices with Windows 8 and later. The app is free to install and use.
Is there a better alternative?
The Google Search app was created to allow Windows users access to their preferred search engine and Google apps via the web apps functionality. The only choice users had before this software release was searching within a web browser directly. The Windows community requested this app for a while and Google and Windows finally delivered, first offering it on Windows 8 devices. Today, users still have the ability to perform a Google search within a web browser, however this is seen as the inferior option. Of course, searching via another browser (Yahoo, Bing, etc.) is available, however Google accounts for 95% of all internet searches, so it's safe to say users prefer to search with Google.
Our take
You want to perform your Google searches within a mobile-enabled app, not a tiny browser window. For that reason, the Google Search app for Windows 10 devices (especially phones and tablets) is an ideal solution. While Google and Microsoft continue to be predictable adversaries, this solution is an olive branch that just may make your life easier.
Should you download it?
As a Windows PC user, there is not a major advantage to downloading this app to a desktop. You can easily open your browser (hint: Google Chrome) and easily perform your Google search. There is no clear motivator to download this to a Windows PC.
Users with Windows phones and tablets are the true benefactors of this app, providing them with the ability to perform their Google search in a clean, integrated app synced across all devices. Downloading Google Search for your Windows phone or tablet will facilitate easier browsing and access to your favorite Google webapps.
1.1.1.37
The amount of times we use Google in a day while providing online tech support to our customers can not be counted on both our hands and feet. Occasionally, when we are in a hurry we use whatever search engine comes up as the default in our browser. We were using a newly updated version of Internet Explorer and typed in 'How do I' and we saw the predictive results that Bing gave us. The irony in the picture to the left can not be ignored. The predictive result was 'How do I get rid of Bing and get Google back' After a long chuckle we made note of the result and took a screenshot because it was so darn funny. Since we are always looking for good topics to cover on the Boxaid Blog we figured we would answer this question.
Where Did Google Go?
Many people have been using Google as their default search provider in their browser as far back as they can remember. If you are using one of the three most popular web browsers on the planet which are Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome then you can set your default search provider to your favorite search engine and forget about it. This means if you use the search bar in your browser to look for anything it will default to the search engine that you set. Occasionally, you will install a third party piece of software that will change your default search provider to something else which you DO NOT want to use. They do this because they make partner agreements with search providers such as Bing, Yahoo, AOL and of course Google.
They get a tiny little cut of profit for each person they can convert to that search provider. Even worse, if you install a piece of adware or spyware that comes with a game for example you may get a no name search provider that you never heard of like Conduit Search which is a known piece of malware. As long as you don't have a hijacked browser then its fairly easy to change your default search provider back to Google or whichever search engine you prefer.
1.1.1.37
The amount of times we use Google in a day while providing online tech support to our customers can not be counted on both our hands and feet. Occasionally, when we are in a hurry we use whatever search engine comes up as the default in our browser. We were using a newly updated version of Internet Explorer and typed in 'How do I' and we saw the predictive results that Bing gave us. The irony in the picture to the left can not be ignored. The predictive result was 'How do I get rid of Bing and get Google back' After a long chuckle we made note of the result and took a screenshot because it was so darn funny. Since we are always looking for good topics to cover on the Boxaid Blog we figured we would answer this question.
Where Did Google Go?
Many people have been using Google as their default search provider in their browser as far back as they can remember. If you are using one of the three most popular web browsers on the planet which are Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome then you can set your default search provider to your favorite search engine and forget about it. This means if you use the search bar in your browser to look for anything it will default to the search engine that you set. Occasionally, you will install a third party piece of software that will change your default search provider to something else which you DO NOT want to use. They do this because they make partner agreements with search providers such as Bing, Yahoo, AOL and of course Google.
They get a tiny little cut of profit for each person they can convert to that search provider. Even worse, if you install a piece of adware or spyware that comes with a game for example you may get a no name search provider that you never heard of like Conduit Search which is a known piece of malware. As long as you don't have a hijacked browser then its fairly easy to change your default search provider back to Google or whichever search engine you prefer.
Changing Your Search Provider in Chrome
If you are using Chrome, which is the browser we recommend to all our Boxaid customers, then click on the Settings button in the upper right of Chrome and choose Settings. Then in themiddle of the page click the drop down arrow and choose Google or the search provider of your choice. Easy as pie. Now whenever you want to search for something using the omnibox (that's a fancy way of sayinr the URL/search bar in Chrome) you simply type your keywords and hit Enter and it will always return results from your chosen search provider.
Changing Your Search Provider in Firefox
Google As My Browser
If you are using Firefox instead of IE or Chrome the concept to change your search engine is very similar. Firefox offers two bars at the top of the browser. One is for your URL and the one on the right is for your searches. Click the tiny icon in the left of the bar to reveal the different search engines. As you can see in the pic, the one at the top is Google which is the default. You can switch search engines on the fly by choosing any provider in the drop down for the immediate search. Once you choose a provider for that search then it will stay that way until you change it to a different one. If you want to add any additional search engines you can also click the 'Manage Search Engines' button on the bottom.
Changing Your Search Provider in Internet Explorer
Get Google Browser
Finally we come to Internet Explorer which is notorious for changing your search provider behind your back. Of course IE want you to use the Microsoft search engine which is Bing. It's certainly not a bad search engine but the reality is Google provides far more accurate results. In IE click the little gear in the upper right of the browser and choose Manage Add-ons. Then you will get a new window where you need to click Search Providers on the left hand side. Then choose Google if that is what you prefer and then click Set as Default in the bottom right.
That's it for the major browsers in terms of changing your default search provider. If for some reason making these changes does NOT change your search provider to the one you want then you may have some kind of problem with your browser. Unfortunately, we find that the most common problem is a piece of adware or malware that may have injected itself into your browser that has altered your search provider. This may require a bit more manual work to fix this if this is the case.
