Microsoft has launched a desktop search tool, two months after the release of Google's Desktop Search 1.0.

The MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search brings web page style searching to the PC. It finds all items created by Office software as well as PDF files and email attachments.

The search engine is as fast for the PC as it is for the web, according to Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice president at Microsoft's MSN Information Services division.

Microsoft claims to have improved the user interface for the software, introducing colour coding of results by subject and allowing users to customise the desktop.

In the coming months it will add tabbed web pages, similar to those offered by Mozilla's Firefox browser.

The software is available for download here in English only. Other languages will be rolled out over the coming months.