local and cloud search

About this tag
Discussions on WindowsForum.com about local and cloud search focus on tools that unify file, app, and web search from a single interface. A recurring example is Google's experimental Windows app, which provides a floating search bar accessible via Alt+Space. It searches local files, installed apps, Google Drive, and the web, and includes Google Lens and AI Mode for multimodal queries. Members explore how such tools reduce window-switching friction and compare them to built-in Windows search. The tag covers user experiences, setup tips, and performance observations for hybrid search solutions that blend local and cloud sources on Windows.
  1. Google Labs Windows App: Floating Spotlight Search with Lens & AI

    Google’s experimental Windows app aims to remove the friction of switching windows to look something up — a floating, Spotlight‑like search bar you summon with Alt + Space that can search local files, installed apps, Google Drive, and the web, and that folds in Google Lens and the company’s AI...