What is Desktop Search?

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LadyTevar
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What is Desktop Search?

Post by LadyTevar »

Recently, when I turn on my computer, a little window has been popping under my taskbar, near the clock. It rises when the curser touches it, and seems to be some kinda search function.

There is no exit on the window, so the only way to remove it is by going to Task Manager and Ending Program. It calls itself Desktop Search, and when I check the Processes Running option under XP's Task Manager, it seems to list itself as desktop.exe. At least, that's the one that's there when it's running, and gone when I've End Tasked the sucker.

So.. what is this and how do I get rid of it permanently?
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Post by Batman »

I've had that one myself. I have no clue what it does or where I got it. It seems to be benign however. Spybot should be able to get rid of it, or how about simply searching for and deleting desktop.exe? I can assure you that there is no such file in a regular Winblows installation so there's no risk of getting the wrong one.
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Post by Faram »

Google makes a desktop search

Compare your and those screenshots

oogles search can be uninstalled through add/remove programs
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LadyTevar
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Post by LadyTevar »

Faram wrote:Google makes a desktop search

Compare your and those screenshots

oogles search can be uninstalled through add/remove programs
Nope, not google search, Faram. This is a single-line box hiding behind the taskbar itself, barely peeking over the edge.

I'll try your suggestion, Bats. Hopefully it'll work.
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Nitram, slightly high on cough syrup: Do you know you're beautiful?
Me: Nope, that's why I have you around to tell me.
Nitram: You -are- beautiful. Anyone tries to tell you otherwise kill them.

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" -- Leonard Nimoy, last Tweet
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Post by LadyTevar »

This is weird. I know I saw that listing in the Task Manager: Processes list before I endtasked the program... but the only thing a Search of My Computer finds is AOLondesktop.exe

could it be the same thing?
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Nitram, slightly high on cough syrup: Do you know you're beautiful?
Me: Nope, that's why I have you around to tell me.
Nitram: You -are- beautiful. Anyone tries to tell you otherwise kill them.

"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP" -- Leonard Nimoy, last Tweet
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Post by Executor32 »

Sounds like the iSearch Desktop Search hijacker. The second post here has removal instructions.
どうして?お前が夜に自身お触れるから。
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but a foolish samurai warrior wielding a magic sword stepped forth to oppose me. Before the final blow
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Post by Praxis »

Executor32 wrote:Sounds like the iSearch Desktop Search hijacker. The second post here has removal instructions.
Sounds like an Apple program :lol:
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Post by The Yosemite Bear »

LadyTevar wrote:This is weird. I know I saw that listing in the Task Manager: Processes list before I endtasked the program... but the only thing a Search of My Computer finds is AOLondesktop.exe

could it be the same thing?
soundslike it.
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Post by Batman »

The Yosemite Bear wrote:
LadyTevar wrote:This is weird. I know I saw that listing in the Task Manager: Processes list before I endtasked the program... but the only thing a Search of My Computer finds is AOLondesktop.exe
could it be the same thing?
soundslike it.
Err-no, I'm afraid. While removing AOL stuff is usually a smart move, if Task Manager DID list a desktop.exe, that means there WAS a desktop.exe. So either that file is still there but hidden or was removed in the meantime.
Have you tried looking for hidden/system files, my Lady?
'Next time I let Superman take charge, just hit me. Real hard.'
'You're a princess from a society of immortal warriors. I'm a rich kid with issues. Lots of issues.'
'No. No dating for the Batman. It might cut into your brooding time.'
'Tactically we have multiple objectives. So we need to split into teams.'-'Dibs on the Amazon!'
'Hey, we both have a Martian's phone number on our speed dial. I think I deserve the benefit of the doubt.'
'You know, for a guy with like 50 different kinds of vision, you sure are blind.'
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Post by Executor32 »

I'm 99.99% certain that it's iSearch. It's a real bitch to get rid of if you have it. The second post in the thread I linked to in my previous post has the rather lengthy removal instructions.
どうして?お前が夜に自身お触れるから。
Long ago in a distant land, I, Aku, the shape-shifting Master of Darkness, unleashed an unspeakable evil,
but a foolish samurai warrior wielding a magic sword stepped forth to oppose me. Before the final blow
was struck, I tore open a portal in time and flung him into the future, where my evil is law! Now, the fool
seeks to return to the past, and undo the future that is Aku...
-Aku, Master of Masters, Deliverer of Darkness, Shogun of Sorrow
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Post by Jadeite »

I had that. I got rid of it with a system restore.
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