Google’s Official App for Windows: Is It Any Good?
We all know the Google app on our phones. It’s the go-to for quick searches on Android and a popular download for iPhone users. But did you know there is now an official Google app for Windows?
While it’s still in the experimental stage, a lot has changed over the last few months. Here is everything you need to know about what it does, why it’s useful, and one major catch you should consider before installing it.
How to Get It
Because the app is still part of Google’s experimental phase, you won't find it in the standard Microsoft Store yet. To try it out, you need to visit Google Labs. Simply download the installer and run it like any other program.
Key Features: More Than Just a Search Box
Once installed, the app lives in your system tray. You can summon it instantly using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space. It features a clean design with a subtle glowing animation when launched.
Here is what makes it handy:
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All-in-One Search: It doesn’t just search the web. It searches your Google Drive files, your installed computer programs, and even local files saved on your PC.
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Google Lens Built-In: This is one of the coolest features. You can use Google Lens to "screenshot" anything on your screen. The app can then use AI to explain what’s in the image, solve homework problems, or even translate text from one language to another.
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AI Integration: You can upload documents or images directly into the search box and ask the AI questions about them. It’s like having a quick AI assistant ready at a moment's notice.
The Navigation Experience
The app feels very "minimal." There are no back or forward buttons like you'd see in a web browser. Instead, you use the Escape key to go back one step. When you're done, clicking the close icon doesn't actually quit the app; it just hides it in your system tray so it's ready the next time you hit Alt + Space.
The Catch: It’s a RAM Hog
Before you rush to install it, there is one important warning: this app is heavy.
Despite its simple appearance, it uses a surprising amount of system resources. In recent tests, the Google app was found to use around 1.6 to 1.7 gigabytes of RAM. For comparison, that is significantly more than the entire Google Chrome browser usually takes for basic tasks.
If you are using a computer with limited RAM, this app might slow your system down.
What’s Missing?
The biggest thing missing right now is full Google Gemini integration. While it has AI features, the dedicated Gemini experience we see on mobile isn't fully baked into this Windows version yet. However, since the app is still in beta, we can likely expect more optimization and deeper AI features in the future.
Final Thoughts
The Google app for Windows is a powerful "Swiss Army knife" for search. If you frequently use Google Lens, search for files across your PC and Drive, or just want a faster way to search the web without opening a full browser tab, it’s definitely worth a look. Just make sure your PC has enough memory to handle it!
Ready to try it? Download the Google App for Windows here.
I’ve also made a video on this topic — you can watch it below.
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