The key to this kind of searching is the back-end, which was previously available to users only as a paid service. Now anyone can access the full Encarta encyclopedia — for free — through MSN Search.
There are two ways to do so. First, you could type in a search phrase on the MSN Search home page and then click the Encarta link to search only Encarta's database. This is a particularly excellent tool for students, of course. But it's also a great tool for almost anyone. Let's say you need a pithy quote: Try searching Encarta for an applicable quote.
You will also see Encarta results returned with "normal" searches at MSN Search, usually when you construct a search as a question. For example, type in who shot abraham lincoln? The first result is graphically offset with the text Answer. There are also links for Encarta Answers — which provides more detailed information — and to find out more about Abraham Lincoln