Google Desktop is a great utility for searching file and content on your local hard drive. To simplify the use of Google Desktop, I've written a search plugin for FireFox. This plugin is different because Google Desktop search uses a unique ID for each computer. So it's impossible to write a single plugin that will work on every computer. Instead, a plugin has to be generated specifically for your computer using your Google Desktop ID.
Open google.com in a new Firefox window. Click the desktop link above the search box, and click the Search Desktop button but make sure the search box is empty. This page will have a location that looks something like "http://127.0.0.1:4664/search&s=NumbersAndLetters?q=&btnG=Search+Desktop". The NumbersAndLetters are your Google Desktop ID, if you have that then you're ready to click the button below.
Please note: If you've already installed this plugin and are trying to re-install it, you may need to uninstall the previous version. For instuctions on uninstalling Firefox Search Plugins, please see my tutorial.
Hey Rik, I understand your concern. As far as I know, having a person's ID will not allow someone to search your computer. The Google Desktop web service is run locally on your computer so an attacker would need access to physical system in order to access Google Desktop. If someone knows differently, please let me know. :-)
- Andrew
Posted by: Dan
[Date:
1/14/2005]
Please excuse my ignorance, but I installed it, but do not know how to use it. Is it simply searching my local machine as well when I do a search in the Firefox Google search window?
Hi dan, if you provided all the correct information for the install, then you should be able to see a "Google Desktop" option in your Firefox search box drop-down (click the little down arrow to get to the menu). If you need more help, feel free to email me. :-)
This is AWSOME! If for no other reason than the ability to add more than 10 results to the page.
More reason to continue that global domination of Firefox!!
One problem... For some reason my "S" number is different when I look at my search page then it is when I actually do a search. The second works with this, the first doesn't. However, now I have 2 in my drop down and I don't know where to go change it.
Never mind, I figured it out (another tip for my FF tips page!)
How to remove search engines from the Firefox search box
On Windows:
* Go to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins
* Each search engine has two files; a .src and either a .png or a .gif file. All you have to do is delete the two files for the search engine you wish to remove (for example google.src and google.gif) and restart Firefox.
Posted by: marcos
[Date:
1/25/2005]
this is great! thank you
Posted by: Simon
[Date:
2/12/2005]
Thanks very much - really useful
Posted by: Techno
[Date:
3/16/2005]
Very handy. It really enables me to use Firefox much more!!
Posted by: Tim
[Date:
3/24/2005]
Just trying to do this myself - but you got there and saved me the trouble.. great, many thanks.
Posted by: Pieter
[Date:
4/4/2005]
After overcoming a little glitch with the user ID, I've got this running now. Must say it's a winner. Well done!
I downloaded this great plug in months ago (thanks!) but it stopped working for me yesterday. now s= a long string that changes for each search. I think Google has foiled this. Any ideas?
UPDATE:
Plugin is working fine :-) just needed to be reinstalled.
- amw
If you show more than 1 copy, then you accidently installed the plugin with 2 different IDs. All you need to do is remove the one that doesn't work. If you can't figure out which one that is, remove then both and reinstall.
Scott posted good instructions towards the top of this page detailing how to remove plugins.
- Andrew
Posted by: matt
[Date:
9/7/2005]
has anybody gotten this to run with GDS version 2? the &s number changes with every new search so the GetID thing fails.
Um, I tired getting the ID numbers my self, but it didn't work. Then I used your other program to get the ID and it worked. The only problem is to get rid of the old "test" search engine. So how do I do this exactly? Its not in my searchengine folder?
In new version of GDS (2 beta) to make it work you should either use Getid to find your Google ID or check registry string
HKCU\Software\Google\Google Desktop\API\search_url
Kudos. After a few failed attempts at parsing the ID myself, I finally down-loaded the tool, virus scanned (passed) and ran it, copied the ID and pasted it in...then it installed and it works well...
Didn't work by copying the numbes/letters from desktop seach page!!
But with the GetId tool (which revealed a completely different number, everything is fine!
Great tool!
Posted by: Eric
[Date:
3/24/2006]
I can't locate the Google Desktop search plugin files to uninstall the plugin. They're not in the Mozilla "searchplugins" folder, nor are they in the other Documents & Settings subfolder suggested in the tutorial. In fact, the latter folder does not even exist. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.
REPLY:
Another way to remove search plugins is to install the SearchPluginHacks extension.
FOr all those stuck on how to REMOVE a search plugin - just select 'Manage Search Engines' at the bottom of the search box drop-down. A window opens where you can change the order or remove the individual search plugins.
REPLY:
Yes, this is a great new feature in FF 2.
Posted by: Noah Sachs
[Date:
6/19/2007]
Google desktop search plugin for Firefox Rules!!!!!
I was just looking for exactly this plugin. Everyone should have this. It truly rocks!
Cheers!
Posted by: Rick W
[Date:
12/1/2007]
I still get message that I can't install the plugin since an engine with same name is installed. Using FF2 I deleted Google Desktop Search using Manage Plugins. Rebooted. What else to do? Thanks!
Posted by: reik
[Date:
2/22/2008]
Can you tell us how GetDI works, or provide a linux version? I;m stuck because I don't run KDE or Gnome
I have a question for the sidebar i have gadget's and like 10 or 12 and don't know how to get to them all well if u can help me I would be thankful
Posted by: dan
[Date:
4/10/2008]
fastdump, how do i remove my search plugin? i want to remove the googlepedia plugin. when i manage search engines i can remove a search plugin, but googlepedia remains a part of google even when i just use google without the search box drop down.
Posted by: Ahmed a.k.a. Meda
[Date:
4/21/2008]
Hi every one,
Just one question this plug-in is in English version. Is it in French version?
BRILLIANT!!!! This is very impressive!! As a fellow coder i think this search engine plug-in needs to be more wide spread! Get yourself on MozDev and let them know. A+
Posted by: Ted
[Date:
10/20/2009]
what do i do about this???
Firefox could not install the search plugin from "http://www.amwmedia.com/downloads/GoogleDesktop832984155.src" because an engine with the same name already exists.
