Have you ever searched for a file, only to realise you can’t remember what you called it? You know it exists, you remember writing it, perhaps even roughly when - but the Windows search draws a blank. Or worse, it brings up unrelated web results and an old document from years ago that has nothing to do with what you need. It’s a common frustration, especially for teams working across multiple folders, projects, and shared spaces.
Microsoft is now aiming to improve this experience with a new update in Windows 11. Instead of having to recall exact file names, you’ll soon be able to search using natural phrases like “find the notes I made for the July project meeting” or “show me photos from the summer BBQ”. Your computer will understand what you mean and find what you’re looking for - much more like having a conversation than typing in keywords.
This improvement is powered by a new category of devices called Copilot+ PCs. These are equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a special chip designed to handle AI tasks directly on your machine. That means faster performance and greater privacy, since it doesn’t rely on the internet to do its job. These devices support Copilot features already built into Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, including smarter file searches, help drafting emails, and even image generation.
The natural language search is currently being tested in preview versions of Windows 11 and is expected to be rolled out more widely soon. It also works with files stored in OneDrive, making it especially useful for businesses already using Microsoft’s cloud services. If your current device isn’t Copilot-ready, you won’t see this feature just yet - but if you’re planning a hardware refresh this year, it could be worth considering. If you’d like help working out whether Copilot+ PCs are right for your business, we’d be happy to advise.
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