1

Although Google Desktop was discontinued long ago, I kept the installer and was able to continue to use it. The functionality that I used the most was "hit Ctrl twice and bring up a Google search". This is not "bring up Google.com in the browser" but it is a search box that appears on top of whatever windows I have open, and after typing the query and hitting Enter it directs me to Google.com with the search results displayed.

I still have it installed, but somehow the Ctrl-Ctrl hotkey stopped working. (Maybe because of a Windows update.) What I'm looking for is

  • Repair the hotkey if possible; what may have turned it off and how to restore previous behaviour
  • Or else: software offering similar functionality

Of course if neither is possible, I may set up AutoHotkey or something to associate Ctrl-Ctrl with Google.com.

(I don't need the Desktop Search functionality, only Web Search.)

6
  • This is known as the old google quicksearch box. The best way to get it is from the I.E. google search bar. Is there a Google button beside your start button on your taskbar? May 16, 2013 at 18:31
  • @DarthAndroid Nope. I'm on Windows 7 if that matters.
    – marczellm
    May 16, 2013 at 18:33
  • Oh sorry, asked too early. Restarting GD fixed the hotkey. Should I close the question now?
    – marczellm
    May 16, 2013 at 18:45
  • 1
    You could also post that as an answer and accept it (i.e., "Restarting Google desktop reregistered the hotkey.") That way, others experiencing the same issue will find your answer! May 16, 2013 at 18:47
  • I wrote a version in Python: gist.github.com/marczellm/9bb3a39c14fdf5a28c47ff132307aff6
    – marczellm
    Dec 26, 2017 at 12:00

4 Answers 4

1

Exiting and restarting Google Desktop should restore the hotkey.

(Note that this hotkey does not always bring up the search box, such as when running a browser in fullscreen mode.)

0

You can configure a hotkey to directly start your browser, then search directly from there; usually most keyboards and laptops have a dedicated "home page" launcher key that serve this purpose.
That's kind of a workaround, but the result is the same.

0

You can restore the hotkey with restarting Google Desktop. This would fix your prob. Btw. I think the performance is a little bit low. This is why I use third party software to replace Google Desktop as Windows Search solution. I know this is a little bit expensive but to me it is worth. With the performance of the web search there's no trouble at all. I'm fine with it

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  • This duplicates the accepted answer and adds no new content. Please don't post an answer unless you actually have something new to contribute.
    – DavidPostill
    Mar 11, 2015 at 22:12
  • @DavidPostill This answer contributes something new, namely a recommendation for a software replicating the functionality of Google Desktop, which was the second part of the question.
    – marczellm
    Mar 12, 2015 at 10:55
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An alternative could be the free or paid tool Lookeen. The free version offers all features of the paid version but only indexes drive C: . Another nice feature you may like is the the start on double ctrl tap ;).

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