AI search is now available in Windows 11. Simply describe anything on your computer to find it.
Windows has a powerful built-in search tool that allows us to search for things on our computer, but Microsoft hasn't perfected it in recent years, having to fine-tune the search term to find the file we lost on our computer.
Fortunately, the search engine in Windows will rely on artificial intelligence so that it can find anything on our computer.
Microsoft just announced that it will be bringing improved search functionality to Windows 11, but unfortunately, this feature will only be compatible with PCs running Copilot+. This is because the new Windows 11 search tool uses the NPU to perform searches.
Microsoft explains how it works this way: “You no longer need to remember file names, the exact words in file contents, or the names of settings. This means I don’t need to be precise in my search term, but I can describe it to find the file I’ve lost in a whole mess of operating system files.
It's worth noting that this search tool only finds locally stored and indexed items, but fortunately, we can modify which areas are indexed by going to Settings, then Privacy & Security, and finally Windows Search.
If you don't want to complicate your life too much, you can directly activate the "Enhanced" option, and everything on your computer will be indexed perfectly.
While this is a great addition, the fact that it's limited to a small set of devices means that most users won't be able to enjoy it, at least in the short term.