Google Desktop let you search the files, e-mails and web history stored on your own computer. Google discontinued it on 14 September 2011: downloads stopped and existing installations received no further updates or fixes.
Google explained that computer storage had moved to the cloud and that operating systems now had good search built in.
What to use instead
- Windows Search – built into Windows; press the Windows key and type to search files and their content.
- Spotlight – built into macOS (Command + Space).
- Everything – a free tool for Windows that finds files by name almost instantly.
Do not install old copies of Google Desktop: they have not been updated for many years.