I just installed the new MSN Search Toolbar, which includes an updated version of the Windows Desktop Search utility and adds tabbed browsing capabilities to Internet Explorer 6.
First reactions: The search tool absolutely rocks, and the degree to which you can customize it is very, very impressive. For now, at least, it’s going to replace Copernic Desktop Search on my machine.
Tabbed browsing is promising, although not nearly as smooth or configurable as Firefox or Maxthon. My biggest complaint so far is that new links I open from an external source (like NewsGator Outlook Edition) open in a new window. That kind of defeats the purpose of tabbed browsing, and I can’t see how to override that behavior. I’m sure there’s a way; if anyone’s found it, drop me a note in the comments.
Also, I’d really like to be able to close an open page by double-clicking its tab (or open a new blank tab by double-clicking in the empty space of the tab bar). Both Firefox and Maxthon do this, and the IE add-on should do the same.
Biggest benefit is that I can return to using IE with several of my favorite add-ins that aren’t supported elsewhere: BlogJet, Fiddler, and the Send To OneNote PowerToy are three that come immediately to mind.
Asa Dotzler of the Firefox team tried the MSN Toolbar “for about 15 minutes” last night and posted his capsule review: “It sucks.” Today, he says he tried it for another 15 minutes: “I’ve revised my opinion some; it _really_ sucks.” Underestimating the competition is always a bad idea, Asa. This version of the toolbar appears less than four weeks after the original version shipped. As Google has already shown, you can incrementally improve and deliver a browser toolbar component very quickly.
Update: After spending a few hours with the MSN add-in, I think I’ll turn off the tabbed browsing function and go back to using Maxthon. The Windows Desktop Search capability is slick and polished, but the tabbed browsing add-on feature is very poorly implemented. As Asa points out, there are some serious bugs in this portion of the code that render it unusable. If you switch to full-screen view (press F11), all other tabs close. That sucks.
Hey, MSN, are you listening?
Ed Bott 
The executable I downloaded from the MSN Search Toolbar link you gave above didn’t work for me– it seems to be a patch or something. I was able to get the full version from http://toolbar.msn.com.
The older and wiser I get, the less I deviate from basic XP or IE and, remarkably, the better my OS and applications run. Imagine that! Anyway, I don’t even know what a “tabbed” browser is. 🙂 Presumably, if it’s MSN toolbar, it’s a Microsoft add-in that presumably won’t compromise overall performance or stability. Or am I off base here?
I’m excited about tabs in IE6 via the MSN toolbar, but I can’t get them to display in IE. I’ve toggled “tabbed browsing” on and off and restarted and reinstalled, and I can’t get it work. Anyone have any hints?
Thanks for pointing that out, Jen. I fixed the link.
Ken, a tabbed browser allows you to open multiple web pages in a single browser window, switching from page to page by clicking a tab at the top of the page (usually, although the tab can also be at the bottom).
Based on my experience so far, I don’t recommend the tabbed browsing add-in. However, I do recommend that you try either Maxthon or Firefox. Either one will be greatly superior to IE in terms of user experience, and both are thoroughly acceptable in terms of stability.
Thanks. That does seem like a very useful feature.
I’m a little disappointed with the tabbed browser. While you can basically create one ‘favorite’ with ‘My Tabs’ I want to create tabs for each subgroup of sites I visit regularly. So when I open ‘Weather’ I get 6 different weather pages for various zip codes and sources. When I open ‘News’ I get the eight different news sites I regularly use. Hopefully, they’ll get it right next time.
Ed, you are doing a disservice in your description of tabbed browsing.
The crucial property isn’t that it allows you to do all your browsing in one window. OK, so taskbars can get crowded, but so can tab bars. After all, who really cares if you click at the top or at the bottom of your screen?
No, the crucial property is that it enables you to open links you click in the background, not distracting you from your current page. This is why it makes browsing a more pleasant experience.
Also you are being unfair to Asa. His post was full of constructive criticisms about the way MSN toolbar handles. A more legitimate complaint would be the immature way he dealt with the ‘Opera lied about PC World award’ post.
I considered mentioning the Opera posts, which I agree were less than classy.
I wrote my original post after Asa had written a single “it sucks” post. He later added “it really sucks” and it wasn’t until after I posted my full entry that the actual, constructive criticism appeared.
As for tabbed browsing, the background loading isn’t what appeals to me, it’s the ability to manage many windows easily, which is impossible with a whole bunch of IE windows. Different strokes…
I’ve gotten the search part to how I like it and have now replaced Google Toolbar. However, the tabs are still buggy. Whenever I open a new tab, the screen flashes for a second and after the flash, the IE window is in “restore down” form, but still the same size as if it were maximized. I would like it if the tab problem is fixed so that there is no screen flash and the IE window stays maximized. Also, a “Search Site” function like Google Toolbar would be nice.
Newer version fixes one problem. IE no longer loses its place in the taskbar. It used to go to the very right of all other open programs when you switched tabs. It doesn’t do that anymore, but the annoying screen flash and the IE window going into the “restore down” form are still there. Also, to be more competitive with Google toolbar, there should be some kind of “Search Site” function like Google’s toolbar.
I’m surprised MS released the tab feature. It’s so poorly done, with stuff opening and closing in the task bar, the tab going wherever it feels, the inability to open a new window in the background with any key I’ve found, and it still opens new windows. Why did they bother? Just about every other browser, including those that use IE are far supperiour.
To Ed Bott:
If you suggest Firefox, what version? we have been a little let down with msn, google is ok, but not real great.
We have been thinking about Firefox, what version would you suggest? we have the windows xp media center.
Thanks in advance!!