Microsoft Unveils Net Search Engine

Microsoft Corp. unveiled its long-anticipated search engine in an attempt to keep customers from leaving its websites when they seek information online.

Microsoft’s search engine, which replaced technology licensed from rival Yahoo Inc., includes such features as localized results and articles from its Encarta encyclopedia. The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant is planning to add the ability to search the contents of users’ computer hard drives, but that won’t be introduced until later this year, company spokesman Adam Sohn said.

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said this week that his company would eventually beat search leader Google Inc., and he called search-related ads an important part of Microsoft’s strategy to double advertising revenue within five years.