natural language search Archives

Winsage

May 8, 2025

Fed up with irrelevant results cluttering up your Windows 11 searches? I certainly am, and it looks like the situation’s going downhill from here

Microsoft is enhancing the search functionality in Windows 11 by integrating apps from the Microsoft Store into search results, allowing users to find and install applications from the Start menu or Taskbar. This initiative has received mixed reactions, with some users wanting an option to disable the feature. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing natural language search functionality for Copilot+ PCs and is working to improve the performance of the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

Microsoft finally plays its trump AI card, Recall, in Windows 11 – but for me, it’s completely overshadowed by another new ability for Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft has rolled out the Recall feature for Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs as part of the April preview update, enhancing user experience with saved screenshots for natural language searches. The Click to Do feature is now generally available, offering AI-driven actions, and the search functionality has been upgraded to allow natural language searches from local and cloud resources. The Live Captions feature now includes real-time translations in Simplified Chinese, covering 27 languages. Recall processes information locally for privacy, and users can opt out or remove it entirely. The rollout of Recall may be controlled, and users should download the April 2025 preview update to access it. Enhanced search functionality can reduce the time to locate images by up to 70% on Copilot+ devices compared to Windows 10.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3863 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3863 (KB5055613) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as natural language search functionality in the Windows search box for Copilot+ PCs, allowing users to find settings easily. Additionally, the Narrator feature has been enhanced to provide detailed descriptions of images for accessibility. Other updates include improvements to widgets, fixes for issues in Settings, File Explorer, Taskbar, Desktop Icons, Input, and Graphics. Known issues include non-functionality of Quick Assist for non-administrator users and problems with the Windows Recovery Environment. Users can provide feedback through the Feedback Hub.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Windows 11’s controversial Recall feature could soon arrive for Copilot+ PCs – I just hope Microsoft’s tightening of its privacy is up to scratch

Microsoft is testing its Recall feature for Windows 11 in the Release Preview channel with build version 26100.3902. Recall is designed for Copilot+ PCs with powerful neural processing units (NPUs) and will initially support English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. The feature uses AI to analyze screenshots of user activity, allowing for natural language searches. Microsoft has implemented security measures like Windows Hello sign-in to address privacy concerns. Recall is expected to be available in early 2025 in most markets, but not in Europe during the initial rollout, due to data regulations.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft releases KB5055523 update to fix a glut of Windows 11 problems

Microsoft has released the KB5055523 update for Windows 11, which includes various fixes and enhancements. Key improvements include a fix for the Explorer context menu issue, increased reliability of ctfmon.exe, and resolution of a Kerberos authentication problem related to RC4 encryption. New features for Copilot+ PC users include an improved Windows Search with semantic indexing, natural language search for cloud-stored photos, enhanced communication capabilities with live captions and real-time translation, and support for real-time translation into Simplified Chinese on Snapdragon-powered devices. The update also addresses issues with machine password rotation in the Identity Update Manager, updates for Daylight Saving Time in Chile, and unexpected behavior in the PcaUiArmUpdate feature. KB5055523 will be automatically installed for users.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC

Windows 11 is introducing a natural language search feature for Copilot+ PCs, currently in testing. The latest Beta channel preview (build 26120.3585) includes 'local semantic search' capabilities for laptops with AMD or Intel processors, and Snapdragon (Arm-powered) PCs can access it in the Release Preview. This feature allows users to query settings directly and utilizes the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local processing, ensuring no data is sent to the cloud. It can also retrieve photos from OneDrive alongside local files. Microsoft plans to extend support to third-party cloud storage services. The feature will gradually roll out in the Beta channel, and users may need to reboot their devices to activate it. Semantic indexing is enabled by default on Copilot+ PCs, with options to disable it or exclude specific files. The AI-driven search capability has progressed from the Dev channel to the Beta and Release Preview stages, indicating a strong likelihood of a finalized version for Windows 11.