Microsoft rolls out AI-powered Windows Search to Copilot+ PCs

Remember the last time you searched for some file on your Windows PC or laptop and it took hours for you to actually find it? Well, that’s an inferior experience to have, but Microsoft is changing that with a new AI-powered search feature called the ‘Windows Search’.

Windows Search will help you get the exact file or document you need, not just by typing its name, but also by describing it. Think of it as a librarian who can easily get the books you want, in this case it’s the files you search for. This functionality is now rolling out to select Copilot+ PCs. Here’s everything you need to know.

Everything you need to know about Windows Search

Microsoft has bundled the new AI-powered Windows Search feature in its latest Windows 11 Preview Build 25120.29992 (KB5050083). The build that began rolling out over the weekend comes with new Copilot+ AI experiences, and AI-powered Windows Search is one of the notable features in the update.

Unlike the traditional search bar on Windows, the new AI-powered Windows Search feature utilises both semantic indexing and traditional indexing. This allows the system to locate any file stored on your PC. This AI-powered Windows Search feature can be used either from the search box on the taskbar or via the search option in File Explorer.

What’s great is that you don’t have to remember the exact file name to find it. Say, if it’s an image file, you can simply describe the details of the image to find it. You can simply mention keywords like “birthdays” or “parties” to find image files of your birthdays and office parties.

For a document file, you can just mention specific lines in that document to find it. This is great as it will not only save you a lot of time, but also make things convenient for you. As of now, Windows Search supports English, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, and Spanish.

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This means you cannot search in Hindi or any other language other than the ones below for now. But Microsoft might add support for more languages later. As for file compatibility, it supports file formats like .txt, .pdf, .docx, .doc, .pptx, .xlsx, .jpg, .png, and other popular file formats.

Notably, since Windows Search is an AI-powered feature, only AI-ready PCs like Copilot+ PCs or laptops will be able to use it. As of now, the feature is only available on Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite-powered Copilot+ AI machines, but it should arrive on Intel and AMD-powered Copilot+ devices soon.