search feature Archives

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Microsoft’s next Windows update isn’t at all what users were searching for

Microsoft's Bing search engine has a market share of 3.89%, while Google holds 90%. Users of Windows 11 have criticized the built-in search for its slow performance and irrelevant results. Giorgio Sardo, Microsoft's Vice President of App Store and Apps, announced an upcoming update that will integrate the Microsoft Store into Windows Search, allowing users to find and install apps directly from the Start menu or Taskbar. However, this update may not address the main issues of search performance and relevance, as it could add recommended apps to existing search results. Community feedback has been largely negative, with users expressing frustration over the search functionality. There is no official timeline for the feature's implementation, but it is expected to be released "soon."

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 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5562 (KB5055642) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features and improvements. Key updates include: - New Text Actions in Click to Do: - "Practice in Reading Coach" allows users to enhance reading fluency and pronunciation. - "Read with Immersive Reader" offers a distraction-free reading environment with customizable text options. - Finding Photos Saved in the Cloud via Windows Search: Users in the European Economic Area can search for cloud-stored photos directly from the taskbar by describing them. - Improvements for Voice Access: Users can add custom words to the voice access dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Improved Windows Search: Users can disable cloud content searching via settings. - File Explorer Changes: Folders opened from outside File Explorer will default to opening in a new tab if an existing window is open. - Widgets Improvements: Notification settings can be controlled per feed or dashboard. - Windows Security Update: Additional details for Pluton TPM chips will be displayed in the Windows Security app. - Settings Update: The printer renaming dialog has been updated to align with Windows 11 visuals. - Fixes: Resolved issues include Start menu crashes, color display issues in snap layouts, slow loading times for search, and voice typing issues in the Chinese layout. - Known Issues: Some apps may not install from the Microsoft Store, and Windows Recovery Environment may not function properly after the update. - Reminders: Users can remove Recall at any time, and updates in the Dev Channel are based on Windows 11, version 24H2.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3872 (KB5055640) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features, improvements, and fixes. Key features include: - New text actions in Click to Do: "Practice in Reading Coach" for reading fluency and "Read with Immersive Reader" for a distraction-free reading experience, available on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. - Enhanced Windows Search for locating cloud-stored photos by describing content, available to Insiders in the European Economic Area. - Voice Access improvements: users can add custom words to the dictionary and discover new features through an immersive experience. - Users can disable cloud content search on their Copilot+ PCs. - File Explorer will now open folders in a new tab by default if an existing window is open. - Notification settings in widgets are being improved. - Windows Security will show additional details for Pluton TPM chips. - The printer renaming dialog has been updated. Fixes include resolving issues with the Start menu, windowing, search on the taskbar, input, Task Manager, and voice access. Known issues include initial build version discrepancies and non-functionality of Quick Assist for non-administrator users. Insiders will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 via an enablement package.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

Microsoft removed the clock from Windows 10… so it could reintroduce it in Windows 11

Microsoft has reintroduced the Clock feature to the Calendar flyout in Windows 11, which had previously been removed. Users can now see the time in the notification center, addressing complaints about the inconvenience of not having this functionality. Additionally, Microsoft is working on other enhancements, including a revamped Start menu, improved widgets, and an AI-powered search feature for Copilot+ PCs, although the rollout timeline for these updates is uncertain.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

How to Try Copilot’s New ‘Vision’ and File Search Updates

Microsoft has introduced enhancements to its Copilot application, including Copilot Vision and an advanced file search capability, now rolling out to Windows Insiders. Copilot Vision allows the AI to "see" what is displayed on the user's screen, enabling users to ask questions about their browsing, documents, or music without needing screenshots. Microsoft assures users that they maintain control over accessible information, with data deleted after each session. The updated file search feature allows the AI to locate, open, and discuss files stored locally, enabling natural language queries for file retrieval. Users can manage permissions for Copilot through application settings. These features will eventually be available to all Windows users, and those interested can join the Windows Insider Program for early access. To use the new features, users need version 1.25034.133.0 or later from the Microsoft Store. Copilot Vision can be activated by clicking the glasses icon in the app, while file search is integrated for easy queries.

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

April 9, 2025

Copilot on Windows: Vision and file search begin rolling out to Windows Insiders

Microsoft has rolled out an update for the Copilot app on Windows, available through the Microsoft Store. The update introduces new features, including: 1. File Search: Users can locate, open, and inquire about various file types (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, .json) directly from the Copilot app. Users can control access permissions in the Copilot Settings. 2. Copilot Vision: This feature allows users to share any browser or app window with Copilot, enabling it to analyze content and provide insights and spoken assistance. The update, version 1.25034.133.0 and higher, is being gradually rolled out across all Insider Channels. Copilot Vision will initially be available to Insiders in the U.S., while the file search feature will be accessible to Insiders worldwide. Users can provide feedback within the Copilot app.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft Copilot Updates Make the AI Companion Much More Personal

AI development is rapidly advancing, leading Microsoft to enhance its Copilot AI assistant. The updates aim to transform Copilot into a more engaging and personalized companion. Copilot, powered by OpenAI's GPT technology, is integrated across the Microsoft ecosystem, including Microsoft 365, Windows, the Edge browser, and Bing search. Key features of the updated Copilot include: - Memory Functionality: Users can allow Copilot to remember personal details, with a focus on security and privacy. - Custom Appearances: Users can customize Copilot's visual representation, including whimsical forms. - Copilot Actions: Copilot can manage tasks like making reservations or sending gifts, collaborating with services like 1-800-Flowers.com and Expedia. - Pages Feature: Users can organize content and generate AI-driven podcasts on preferred topics. - Enhanced Copilot Search: Improvements to the Copilot Search feature in Bing aim to address accuracy issues with search-result summaries. The initial rollout of these features begins on Friday, with full availability expected in the coming months.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Google may finally stop forcing you to manually ask to ID songs (APK teardown)

Google is refining its music identification capabilities on Android devices, with potential upgrades revealed through an APK teardown. Currently, users can identify songs using features like Circle to Search and Now Playing, but the process often requires manual prompts. The latest version of the Google app (build 16.12.39.sa.arm64) shows signs of automatic music detection, changing the interface to "Searching song..." upon recognition, although users still need to tap a button to view results. The absence of the typical pulsing-sphere visual element indicates that this feature is still in development.