The Google app for Windows, available as an experiment in Labs, helps you find what you need—information from the web, Google Drive files, installed apps, and files saved on your computer. The Google app for Windows brings the best of Google Search right to your desktop. You can:
- Use Lens to ask questions about content on your screen.
- Get information and helpful links from the web.
- Display search results from your Google Drive.
- Search files and apps on your computer.
What you need
- Be 13 or older.
- A personal Google Account that you manage on your own. For now, Labs and its experiments are not available to Google Workspace accounts, including Google Workspace for Education accounts.
- This experiment is available in English to users in the US. You can opt-in to the Google app for Windows experiment via Labs.
- For the best experience, enable Search history by turning on Web & App Activity.
- Google app for Windows is available on desktop for Windows 10+.
Try Google app for Windows in Labs
- On your computer, open any browser.
- Make sure you’re signed in to your Google Account.
- At the top of the browser, click New tab
.
- At the top of the page, click Labs
Manage
.
- Go to the Google app for Windows.
- To join the experiment, turn on
.
- Click Download app.
- You may need to join the waitlist to access an experiment. If so, click Join waitlist.
.
Manage 
.How to access Google app for Windows
You can launch the Google app anytime. It is designed to be there when you need it and gone when you don't.
To launch the app:- Double-click on the app on your desktop.
- You can also click on the Search box at the bottom of your screen, search for "Google," and launch the Google app.
- On your keyboard, press Alt + Space.
- You can also click the Google icon
in the notification tray.
Tip: If Alt + Space doesn't work, check if the app is running. To check, search for the Google icon in the notification tray.
You can create your keyword shortcut to instantly open the Google app without having to search for it.
- Open the Google app settings.
- Enter "Configurations."
- Click on the current shortcut under "Keyboard shortcut."
- Press the keys on your keyboard to create your new shortcut.
- To hide the app, press Alt + Space or esc on your keyboard.
- To exit completely:
- In the notifications tray, right-click Google icon
- Click Quit.
- In the notifications tray, right-click Google icon
- To resume the app:
- Double-click on the app on your desktop.
- Search for Google icon
Search with Google app for Windows
Use the Google app for Windows to search the web, your computer, and your Google Drive files. When you type your query, the app searches across multiple sources at once.
Search your computer
On your computer, you can easily find and open applications or files.
To open an app:- Open the Google app.
- In the Search bar, enter the name of the app you want to find.
- For example,
ChromeorNotepad.
- For example,
- Click on the app to open.
- You can also use the arrow keys to select the desired app and then press Enter.
- Open the Google app.
- In the Search bar:
- Enter the name of a document, picture, or any other file you want to find.
- You can also click on a suggestion, or use the arrows to find a file.
- Once the file is highlighted on your screen, press Enter.
Search the web
Get Google Search results quickly.
- Get Search results:
- Open the Google app.
- In the Search bar:
- Type what you want to find.
- You can also click on a suggestion, or use the arrows to select a suggestion.
- To view the Search results, press Enter.
- Get AI Mode responses:
Get comprehensive responses to complex questions with AI Mode.- Open the Google app.
- In the Search bar, enter what you’re looking for to view Search results.
- Click the AI Mode tab to get AI-powered responses directly in the app.
Tip: You can configure the app to always return AI Mode responses when you search the web.
Search your Google Drive
To find your files, documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in Google Drive, make sure you’re signed into your Google account in the app.
- Open the Google app.
- To open the file:
- In the Search bar, enter the name of the document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
- You can also click on a suggestion, or use the arrows to open a file.
- Press Enter.
Use Google Lens
You can use Google Lens to select and search anything on your screen.
- Open the Google app.
- In the Search bar, click Google Lens
.
- Select any part of your screen.
- After you select an area, Google Lens will search and show results with multiple options to interact.
- Translate: Get the translated text directly in the app.
- Copy as text: Copy the selected text to your clipboard.
- Copy as Image: Copy the selected area as an image to your clipboard.
Tip: When you select an area without text, you'll only find ‘Copy as image’ as an option.
- Press esc on your keyboard to return to Google app.
How your data is used by the Google app for Windows
- Local files: The Google app for Windows never sends local files to Google servers. The Google app for Windows builds an index on your device, and uses that local index to search for local files.
- Lens queries: When you perform a Lens query, only the part of the screen you select is sent to Google for processing a response. To manage or delete your Search activity, go to My Google Activity.
Give feedback
- Open the Google app.
- Click your profile image to open the Google Account settings.
- Click Send Feedback.
- Enter your feedback.
- You can choose to add a screenshot or add a log to help us better understand your feedback.
- At the bottom, click Send.