Windows Search

Windows Search helps you search for documents and other files on your Windows 11 PC and in your cloud storage services, quickly find apps and settings on your PC, and search the web, all from a single interface. Windows Search is integrated into the Taskbar and Start, but it also powers file and folder search in File Explorer and settings search in the Settings app. And all these interfaces are enhanced with new capabilities powered by local AI models if you have a Copilot+ PC.
Defaults
Windows Search and Search in File Explorer and Settings are mostly straightforward. But there are less obvious features in each, too.
Windows Search defaults
When you first sign in to Windows 11, you will see a Search box on the Taskbar to the right of the Start button.

Start also displays a Search box at the top of its window, but this interface can't be hidden, moved, or configured in any way.

To display Windows Search, select the Search item in the Taskbar, open Start and select the Search box, or open the Quick link menu and select "Search."
Tip: If you click the Search box in the Taskbar, you will type your search query there. But if you open Windows Search any other way, you will type the search query in the Search box in that window.

Keyboard shortcut: You can open Windows Search more quickly. Just tap the Windows key on your keyboard and start typing your search. Or, just type Windows key + S to display Windows Search.

Tip: Using Search to search for files, settings, and other things is often called Start Search.
Windows Search displays suggested apps and settings, Search highlights, and other information if you just open it directly. Once you begin typing, you will see buttons for filtering the results to Apps, Documents, Settings, and more at the top, a list of filtered search results with the best match at its top, and options related to the currently selected search result.

Windows Search lets you do the following:

Access recent searches. If you open Windows Search directly and don't start typing, it will display your recent searches in the results pane. You can remove any item from this list by mousing over it and clicking the "Close" ("X") button next to it in the list.

Open a search result. When you click a search result, the underlying app, file, setting (in the Settings app), or webpage (in Microsoft Edge) will open. For example, if you search for windows and select Windows Security in the search results under Apps, the Windows Security app opens.

Do more with a search result or recent search. You can see and access additional options related to a search result by mousing-over it and clicking the "Preview" link that appears. When you do, options like "Run as administrator," "Open file location," "Pin to Start," "Pin to taskbar," "Uninstall" (for apps), and others will appear in the preview pane on the right. You can also access these options by navigating through the results list with the Up and Down...