In a significant development for Windows 11 users, Microsoft has officially unveiled two new companion apps: People and File Search. This announcement, made through the company’s official blog, comes after a period of anticipation following earlier leaks in 2024.
People App: A New Way to Connect
The People app is designed to enhance connectivity within organizations. It serves as a comprehensive tool for users to explore their contacts, providing essential information at their fingertips. With features such as:
- Access to profile cards and organizational charts
- The ability to send quick messages via Teams without the need to switch applications
- Search functionality based on job titles, departments, locations, and projects
This app boasts a compact layout, easily accessible by clicking its icon on the taskbar, ensuring that users can swiftly bring it to the forefront when needed.
File Search: Streamlining File Management
Complementing the People app is File Search, another addition to the Microsoft 365 suite. This app simplifies the process of locating files, offering functionalities such as:
- Finding recently opened files
- Searching for files by their contents
- Filtering files by type
- Previewing files to confirm the correct document before sharing
Both apps are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Microsoft 365 tools, including Teams and OneDrive. They provide a familiar user experience while enhancing efficiency with a streamlined interface. Users can pin these apps to their taskbar, ensuring easy access amidst a busy workflow.
These mini apps work seamlessly with your existing Microsoft 365 tools, like Teams and OneDrive, complementing the actions you do every day. You’ll recognize familiar flows in these apps, but in a lightning fast and streamlined format. Plus, you can pin both apps to your taskbar so you always know where to access them, no matter how busy your workspace gets.
Currently, the People and File Search apps are available to Windows 11 users, but access is limited. To utilize these new features, users must have Microsoft 365 desktop apps, be part of the Microsoft 365 Insider program (Beta Channel), and hold a Microsoft 365 subscription for business (Enterprise or Business Edition).
For further insights into these latest companion apps, interested users can visit the official Tech Community website. Additionally, IT administrators seeking deployment information can refer to the official documentation provided by Microsoft.
