Microsoft Improves AI-Powered Windows Search for Insiders With Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft is continuing to improve the AI-powered Windows Search experience that’s currently available in preview for Insiders with Copilot+ PCs. With the Windows 11 Insider build 26120.3073 that Microsoft released today, Insiders on Copilot+ will be able to use the search bar in File Explorer to search for photos stored in OneDrive using natural language prompts.

“In addition to photos stored locally on your Copilot+ PC, photos from the cloud will now show up in the search results together,” the Windows Insider team explained. “In addition to searching for photos, exact matches for your keywords within the text of your cloud files will show in the search results.”

While the ability to find photos saved in the cloud is currently limited to search in File Explorer, Microsoft plans to enable it in the Windows Search box in the taskbar in a future flight. “Third-party cloud providers will be able to support this experience with their services as well with documentation coming soon,” the Windows Insider team also announced.

Microsoft is continuing to gradually roll out this AI-powered Windows Search experience to Insiders with Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs. For now, Insiders with Intel or AMD-powered Copilot+ PCs still have to wait.

Windows 11 Insider build 262120.3073 is available for BOTH Dev and Beta testers

With today’s Windows 11 Insider build 26120.3073, Microsoft is also allowing Insiders on the Beta channel currently receiving 23H2 builds to jump to the 24H2 bandwagon. If today’s update will be optional for Beta testers, Microsoft will eventually push 24H2 builds to all Insiders on this Channel.

“We plan to make these updates recommended later this year, which means you will eventually get upgraded to 24H2-based updates automatically if you are in the Beta Channel. Until that happens, the Beta Channel will continue to receive both updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2 AND Windows 11, version 23H2 (but sometimes not at the same time),” the Windows Insider team explained.

Microsoft shipping the same 24H2 builds to Insiders on the Dev and Beta Channels also means that Dev testers are currently allowed to switch to the Beta Channel. This is just temporary, and the Dev Channel will soon start receiving less stable updates with higher build numbers. If you’re on the Dev Channel and aren’t ready for this, it may be best to switch to the Beta Channel while you can.