Described is a system (and method) for providing an application specific extended search that is initiated from a system-wide search application such as a “finder” application or service. The extended search may be automatically performed by an application (including a third-party applications) in order to search its own content from the search initiated within the system-wide search application. Accordingly, the system may provide an efficient and familiar search mechanism that provides a seamless extended search capability that may utilize additional search functionality available within particular applications themselves.