Microsoft Unveils Enhanced Windows Search for Copilot+ PCs, But There’s a Catch
Microsoft has rolled out important improvements to its Windows search feature in the latest Dev Channel Windows Insider build. However,there’s a catch: these enhancements are currently exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs.
The updates, introduced in build 26120.2992,aim to address long-standing criticisms of Windows Search,which has often been the butt of jokes for its sluggish performance and unreliability. Over the years, the feature has been blamed for issues ranging from search/”>Outlook.
Microsoft has promised that these improvements will soon extend to AMD and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs, but for now, Snapdragon users are the first to experience the revamped search functionality.
What’s New in Windows Search?
Table of Contents
The updated Windows Search is designed to be faster, more intuitive, and less resource-intensive. By leveraging the power of AI, the feature aims to provide a seamless experience for users searching for files, applications, and settings on their local machines.
This marks a significant step forward for microsoft, which has been working to integrate AI-driven capabilities across its ecosystem. The company’s focus on improving local search aligns with its broader strategy to enhance productivity and user experience on Copilot+ PCs.
A History of Challenges
Windows Search has had a rocky history. Users have long complained about its inefficiency, with some even disabling the feature to avoid performance bottlenecks. Issues like Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details | Microsoft’s commitment to improving Windows Search is a welcome advancement for users who rely on the feature daily. As the company continues to refine its AI-driven tools, the broader rollout to AMD and Intel-based systems will be a critical milestone. For now, Snapdragon users can enjoy a glimpse of the future—a faster, smarter, and more reliable Windows Search. Stay tuned for updates as Microsoft expands these enhancements to more devices. Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts on the new Windows Search in the comments below! Microsoft is revolutionizing the way users search for files on their devices with a new local semantic indexing feature, exclusively available on Copilot+ PCs. This innovative technology allows users to search for files using natural language, making it easier to find documents, photos, and other content stored locally on their devices. For example,if a user searches for ”pasta,” the system might display images of lasagna stored on their PC,even if the file names don’t explicitly mention “pasta.” This semantic understanding is powered by advanced AI capabilities,but with a crucial twist: all processing happens locally,ensuring user privacy and data security. The term “local” is key here. Unlike traditional cloud-based search tools, this feature operates entirely on the user’s device. It indexes files stored in specific locations and for particular file types, all of which are controlled by the user. Microsoft emphasizes that no data collected during this indexing process is sent to the company or used to train AI models. “In a future flight, we will support searching for documents and photos stored in cloud storage providers such as OneDrive,” Microsoft saeid. For now, however, the feature is limited to local files and requires a Copilot+ PC, which boasts a powerful 40+ TOPS NPU (Neural Processing Unit). This hardware is essential for handling the computational demands of semantic indexing without needing an internet connection. users on non-Copilot+ PCs won’t benefit from these improvements. Microsoft attributes the enhanced search capabilities to “the power of the 40+ TOPS NPU onboard Copilot+ PCs.” This specialized hardware enables faster and more efficient processing of AI-driven tasks, making it possible to deliver a seamless local search experience. Microsoft has gone to great lengths to reassure users about their privacy. The company stated that no data from the indexing process is shared externally or used to train AI models. This local-first approach ensures that users retain full control over their data, addressing growing concerns about privacy in an increasingly cloud-dependent world. While the current implementation focuses on local files,microsoft has hinted at future updates that will expand the feature to include cloud storage providers like OneDrive. This will allow users to search across both local and cloud-stored files seamlessly, further enhancing the utility of the tool. | Feature | Details | Microsoft’s local semantic search feature marks a significant step forward in how users interact with their devices. By leveraging the power of Copilot+ PCs and advanced AI,the company is delivering a more intuitive and privacy-focused search experience. As the feature evolves to include cloud storage, it promises to become an indispensable tool for users seeking both convenience and control. For more insights into Microsoft’s latest innovations, check out their official blog. — Microsoft has rolled out the latest Windows 11 insider Preview Build 27774 to the Canary Channel, bringing a mix of fixes and updates for users.While the company has clarified that SDKs for the 27xxx series builds will not be released for the time being,the focus remains on improving the experience for Windows Insiders without Copilot+ PCs. The update introduces a range of fixes, including several File Explorer tweaks and a notable update to Task Manager. According to the official announcement, the Task Manager update addresses a specific issue where the submission misidentifies an HDD as an SSD.This fix is expected to enhance system performance monitoring accuracy for users relying on traditional hard drives. For those eager to dive into the latest build, the OS files can be downloaded directly from the official Windows Insider blog. | Feature | Details | For Windows Insiders, this build represents a step forward in refining the user experience. The File Explorer tweaks are expected to streamline navigation and file management, while the Task manager update ensures more accurate hardware diagnostics. If you’re new to the Windows Insider Program, you can get started by visiting the official guide, which provides detailed instructions on how to register, set up flighting, and provide feedback. While Microsoft has not announced any major feature additions in this build, the focus on stability and performance improvements underscores the company’s commitment to delivering a polished experience for Windows 11 users. As always, Windows insiders are encouraged to share their feedback to help shape future updates. For more details on the latest build,visit the official announcement. Stay tuned for more updates as Microsoft continues to refine Windows 11 through the Insider Program. Microsoft has rolled out the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27774 to the Canary Channel, bringing a mix of fixes and updates for users. While the company has clarified that SDKs for the 27xxx series are not yet ready, here’s what’s new and fixed in this build: Improvements and Fixes: – Fixed an issue where the context menu did not appear when right-clicking the “Downloads” folder for some users. – Addressed a bug where dragging labeled folders onto the desktop resulted in the label being removed. – Fixed an issue where the clock on the taskbar would sometimes show the wrong time. – Addressed Mercado where the Taskbar previews for open windows might not show the expected content when hovering over taskbar icons. – Fixed a bug where the news and interests button might not appear for users with certain locales. – Addressed an issue where the widget button might show the search icon ————> instead of the widget icon. – Fixed an issue where the touch keyboard might not appear when pressing the hardware keyboard key to invoke it. – Addressed a bug where the Emoji Panel might crash when disabling certain input languages unlikely. – Fixed an issue where some apps might not restore their windows properly after minimizing them. - Addressed a bug where unresponsive apps might not show the “Parental Control alert” piloteer Meter background. – Fixed an issue where the volume and brightness sliders in fast Settings might not be clickable. - Addressed a bug where the flyout to enable dark Mode for Windows apps might not appear when right-clicking on the encryption. – Fixed a race condition that might lead to the machine not going to sleep automatically at the normal time, resulting in a long sleep latency. Known Issues: To learn more about microsoft’s latest updates and improvements, visit the Windows Insider Blog. If you’ve tried out the new build, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| platform Availability | Currently exclusive to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs |
| Build Version | 26120.2992 (Dev Channel) |
| Future Rollout | Coming soon for AMD and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs |
| AI Integration | Enhanced search capabilities powered by AI |What’s Next?
Microsoft Introduces Local Semantic Search for Copilot+ PCs, Enhancing User Experience Without Cloud Dependency
How Local Semantic Search Works
Why Copilot+ PCs Are Essential
Privacy and Control
Future Enhancements
Key Takeaways
|————————|————————————————————————-|
| Local Semantic Search | Searches files using natural language, powered by AI. |
| Privacy | All processing happens locally; no data is sent to Microsoft. |
| Hardware Requirement | Requires a Copilot+ PC with a 40+ TOPS NPU. |
| Future Plans | Support for cloud storage providers like OneDrive is in development. |Conclusion
What are your thoughts on local semantic search? Share your opinions in the comments below!Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27774: what’s New and What’s Fixed Key Highlights of Build 27774
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| File Explorer Tweaks | several improvements to enhance usability and performance. |
| Task Manager Update | Fixes misidentification of HDDs as ssds,improving system monitoring. |
| SDK Availability | No SDKs planned for 27xxx series builds at this time. |
| Copilot+ PCs | Updates primarily target non-Copilot+ PC users. |What This Means for Windows Insiders
Looking Ahead
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27774: What’s New and What’s Fixed
