Hate Windows 11s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost
makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC
Date:
Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:29:14 +0000
Description:
Find Windows 11s search to be terribly slow and clunky? I know I do, and sadly, Im going to miss out on Microsofts big revamp for the functionality.
FULL STORY ======================================================================Windows 11 looks like itll get an AI-supercharged search for Copilot+ PCs This will allow natural language queries and leverage the on-board NPU to process them The feature is progressing through testing nicely, and so might be released soon enough
Windows 11 looks like itll get its basic search functionality seriously bolstered, with a natural language searching feature progressing nicely through testing but its only for those with Copilot+ PCs.
These local semantic search powers have arrived in the latest preview release in the Beta channel ( build 26120.3585 , as noticed by Neowin ), for Copilot+ laptops with AMD or Intel processors. Furthermore, theyve also turned up in Release Preview for Snapdragon ( Arm-powered ) Copilot+ PCs.
The move means you can use natural language for a search query in Windows, such as find photos of me with my dog or find that document which is my holiday packing checklist, rather than having to remember any exact file names.
This doesnt just work in terms of searching your files and folders (meaning File Explorer ), but also with searches in the Settings app so you can perform queries such as show me the Bluetooth devices connected to my PC to pick out another example.
All of this leverages the power of the NPU of the Copilot+ PC. All the processing is done locally, with no data sent to the cloud, which obviously means that you dont have to be connected to the internet.
Also worked into this particular piece of functionality is the ability to use this AI-enhanced search to find photos in the cloud, should you wish.
Microsoft explains: In addition to photos stored locally on your Copilot+ PC, photos from the cloud will now show up in the search results together. In addition to searching for photos, exact matches for your keywords within the text of your cloud files will show in the search results.
This is for OneDrive only for now, but Microsoft says its working to bring support to third-party cloud storage services .
As for caveats, right now, searching for Windows settings will only work within the Settings app itself, but the eventual aim is to have these results flagged from the search box on the desktop taskbar (as is the case with the normal search function).
Its worth noting that if you are a Windows tester in the Beta channel, this feature is only gradually rolling out, so you may not see it for a while yet (and you may need a couple of reboots of your Copilot+ PC to fully trigger
the AI-bolstered search when it does turn up). (Image credit: Future) Analysis: A golden gift for Copilot+ PCs
A natural language search is a nifty ability for Windows 11 search, and a
good use of that NPU. Windows 11s search powers have always been rather sluggish and lacking, often proving not just slow, but failing to find anything useful, and flagging up weird results (or pointless web content).
Its been a long-complained-about area of Windows (the same is true of Windows 10), so hopefully this will go some way towards pepping up the overall experience, as well as making the functionality a lot more convenient.
Of course, with semantic indexing, Microsofts AI is effectively cataloguing (read: rifling through) all your files in order to have the search work in a more timely and responsive manner. Hence the reason why the company clarifies that all processing and data is stored locally, and doesnt leave your PC due to the potential privacy implications otherwise. This is especially important because as Microsoft notes elsewhere: Semantic indexing is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs.
You can turn it off, mind, or you can selectively exclude certain files or folders (or drives). All these options are housed in the Settings app, in Privacy & Security > Searching Windows > Advanced indexing options .
This AI-driven search feature was seen in the Dev channel a while ago, so the fact that it has progressed to Beta (and Release Preview for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs) suggests its close to arriving in the finished version of Windows 11 for these devices.
Still, we can never be sure any feature in testing will see the light of day, but it seems very likely in this case. As its a complex piece of functionality, though, Microsoft could still have some tweaking and debugging on its plate. This is something Microsoft really needs to nail for release,
as itll show off a considerable advantage of a Copilot+ PC if it turns out well which will be a much-needed addition to the list of selling points for these computers. You may also like... Shock, horror Im not going to argue with Microsofts latest bit of nagging in Windows 11, as this pop-up is justified Windows 11 is still my favorite OS, ads and all Windows 11 could eventually help you understand how fast your PC is - as well as offer tips
for making your laptop faster for free
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/hate-windows-11s-search-microsoft- is-fixing-it-with-ai-and-that-almost-makes-me-want-to-buy-a-copilot-pc
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