Windows Search Version Guidance

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	Overview
	Version comparison
	Installation considerations

Overview

Provide the necessary tools for deploying and managing software across your organization. Windows Search 4.0—the latest update to Windows Search for Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP, and Windows Server—goes beyond searching the desktop to also index the contents of file shares on the network. Learn more about Windows Search 4.0.

Version comparison

Review the table below to determine the best desktop search solution for your needs.

		Windows Vista SP1/ Windows Server 2008	Windows XP SP2+	Windows XP SP1	Windows 2000 SP4	Windows Server 2003 SP2	Windows XP SP2+/Windows Server 2003 SP2 64-bit
	Outlook 2007	Windows Search 4.0	Windows Search 4.0	Not Supported	Not Supported	Windows Search 4.0	Windows Search 4.0
	Outlook 2003	Windows Search 4.0 (see Notes)	Windows Search 4.0 (see Notes)	WDS 2.6.6	WDS 2.6.6	Windows Search 4.0	Windows Search 4.0
	Outlook XP	Windows Search 4.0	Windows Search 4.0	WDS 2.6.6	WDS 2.6.6	Windows Search 4.0	Windows Search 4.0
	Outlook 2000	Not Supported	WDS 2.6.6	WDS 2.6.6	WDS 2.6.6	Windows Search 4.0	Windows Search 4.0

Installation considerations

	Current Version of Windows Search	Recommended Action
	Windows Vista	Install Windows Vista SP1, update to Windows Search 4.0
	Windows Desktop Search 3.01 on Windows XP	Upgrade to Windows Search 4.0
	Windows Desktop Search 2.6.6	Migrate to Windows Search 4.0 with 2007 Microsoft Office system deployment
	Lookout	Highest version based on above table
	None	Highest version based on above table

Notes:

• Migrating a Windows PC from earlier versions of Windows Search (including Windows Vista) to Windows Search 4.0 requires a complete rebuild of the system index.

• WDS 2.6.6 is only recommended with older legacy Office System releases. Newer platforms are recommended to use Windows Search 4.0.

• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 includes Instant Search so that you can easily find your e-mail from within Outlook. To initiate searches of your e-mail from Outlook 2003, Outlook XP, or Outlook 2000, install the Windows Live Toolbar along with the above recommended version of Windows Search. Note that Windows Live Toolbar does not support Group Policy. If you require Group Policy and are currently using the legacy MSN Search Toolbar (which is no longer supported by Microsoft), you can continue to use it along with Windows Search 4.0 to support search integration with Outlook 2003.