Operating Systems, Software

MSN Updates Toolbar Suite

MSN Updates Desktop Search Beta

While the new MSN Search was the center of attention Tuesday, Microsoft developers have silently refreshed the MSN Toolbar Suite, which includes the company’s Desktop Search Beta. The updated release offers a number of minor fixes and performance improvements, including better indexing of e-mail attachments.

In the initial beta, a number of MSN Desktop Search users received antivirus warnings each time an e-mail attachment was cataloged, due to the software creating a temporary file. Developers note, however, that “no virus would occur as a result of this because the file wasn’t opened, but it was annoying to get the pop-ups.”

The new release also enables the indexing of Outlook items, even if Microsoft’s e-mail client is not set as the default. Other improvements including the clearing of Deskbar text after a search, as well as bug fixes that improve the “overall stability and robustness” of MSN Desktop Search.