Microsoft is once again enhancing the capabilities of its Copilot AI, aiming to provide a more intuitive experience for Windows users. The latest feature, known as “semantic file search,” allows users to locate their photos, documents, and other files through natural language queries directly within the Windows Copilot app.
In a recent blog post, Microsoft detailed how this new functionality operates. Users can now describe the type of file they need without recalling its exact name or specific keywords. This shift towards natural language processing marks a significant improvement over previous search methods, such as the controversial Recall feature.
Requirements
Before diving into this innovative feature, users should be aware of a couple of prerequisites:
- A Copilot+ PC, which serves as the testing ground for Microsoft’s AI initiatives.
- Membership in the Windows Insider Program, as the feature is currently accessible only on the latest Windows 11 insider builds.
How to try
If you meet the requirements, trying out the new search feature is straightforward. Launch the Copilot app in Windows and enter a description of the files you wish to find. For example:
- To locate your resume, simply type “Find my resume.”
- If you’re searching for a file containing specific content, you might say, “find the file with the chicken tostada recipe.”
- For a collection of images, you could request, “find images of bridges at sunset.”
Copilot will then present links to the relevant files, allowing you to open them directly.
Concerns about privacy are addressed by Microsoft, which clarifies that the search function operates solely within the Recents folder. This means it only scans files that have been recently accessed and stored locally, rather than combing through the entire PC.
Copilot is designed to locate specific file types, including image files (.png, .jpeg, .svg), Adobe PDFs (.pdf), Microsoft Word documents (.docx), Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx, .csv), and text files (.txt, .json). Users can also submit files to Copilot for processing; however, these files will not be shared externally. Additionally, users have the option to adjust permissions to control what Copilot can access and read through the Copilot Settings menu.
There’s more
Beyond file searching, the Copilot app offers a “Get guided help with your apps” feature. When selected, this initiates a Copilot Vision session, enabling the AI to respond to queries based on what it observes on the screen. Users can also upload files for analysis, allowing Copilot to summarize content, identify elements in images, or engage in discussions about the uploaded material.
For those who qualify but do not yet see the new search options, patience is advised. Microsoft is gradually rolling out these features, meaning not all insiders will gain access simultaneously. To verify if the new AI file search is available, users can check their Copilot version by navigating to the About section of the app. The version should read 1.25082.132.0 or higher to confirm access to the latest capabilities.
