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With two years remaining until Microsoft plans to release Windows XP's successor, code-named Longhorn, the only changes visible in the latest prerelease version are some gradual improvements to the new search capabilities. The dearth of discernable new features in Longhorn Build 4074, plus many basic elements that are suddenly nonfunctional, suggests that whatever Microsoft is working on, it's taking place deep in the guts of the operating system.

In January, when I last examined Longhorn (see Your Next OS: Windows 2006?), I found bits and pieces of promised new data-indexing, graphics, and security features. But six months later, in code released in May at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, those capabilities remain mostly unchanged, save for a little additional polishing.

Microsoft's plans to beef up Windows' search function are evident: No matter where you may be in Windows, clicking a search icon brings up a detailed form from which you can search the local PC, the local network, online help, or the Internet (the last via Microsoft's own MSN Search engine). Similarly, a new Communication History folder offers users one-stop searching for any e-mail message, instant message, or other form of communication.

The most surprising thing to me about Build 4074 was how many things didn't work. I installed it on two PCs, including one I used to test the last version, and it couldn't install network, audio, and display drivers that the previous version could, suggesting that Microsoft may be redesigning Windows' plumbing.