Change the data directory

This can be done with the registry editor (regedit) by changing the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Google Desktop\data_dir

Configure "Desktop Search" as default

When pressing Enter after entering the search criteria in the in the desktop bar, Google Desktop opens the Web search results by default. This default setting cannot be changed from the "Google Desktop Settings" Web page. Open the quick search field by pressing "Ctrl" two times, press "Options" and select "Desktop Search" as default option.