Deploying Search Connectors

Search connectors must be installed on computers running Windows 7 before they can be used. To install a search connector, you need the .osdx file that creates that connector. There are three ways of deploying .osdx files:

• Pull Method The administrator either sends the OSDX file to the user by using a method such as e-mailing it as an attachment or directs the user to a location (such as a Web page or a network share) from which the user can obtain and install the .osdx file. The user is then responsible for installing the search connector by opening the OSDX file, by clicking a link on a Web page, or by some other method.
• Push Method The administrator uses either Group Policy preferences (the preferred method) or a logon script to perform the following actions on the user's computer automatically:
  • Copies the *.searchConnector-ms file to the %UserProfile%\Searches folder on the user's computer to install the search connector on the computer
  • Creates a shortcut (.lnk file) to the %UserProfile%\Links folder on the user's computer to expose the search connector in the Favorites area of the navigation pane of Windows Explorer
  In addition, the administrator can use the following Group Policy setting to pin a re-scope link for the search connector to the Start menu and the Search Again area of Windows Explorer:
  User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Explorer\Pin Libraries Or Search Connectors To The "Search Again" Links And The Start Menu
• Imaging Method Before deploying desktop computers to users, the administrator modifies a master installation of Windows 7 by performing the following actions:
  • Copies the *.searchConnector-ms file to the C:Users\Default\Searches folder on the master computer to install the search connector on the computer
  • Creates a shortcut (.lnk file) to the % C:Users\Default \Links folder on the master computer to expose the search connector in the Favorites area of the navigation pane of Windows Explorer

The administrator then syspreps the master computer, uses the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) to capture an image of the master computer, and then deploys this image onto destination computers using WDS or some other deployment method. When the user logs on to her computer for the first time, the user's profile is created from the default profile that the administrator has configured.

More Info For additional information on how Federated Search works and how to implement it, see the Windows 7 Federated Search Provider Implementer's Guide, which can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c709a596-a9e9-49e7-bcd4-319664929317&DisplayLang=en.