Is This the First Essential Feature for Copilot+ PCs?

Right now, Copilot+ PCs find themselves in a peculiar situation. They’re top-notch when it comes to hardware, design, and performance, making them easy to endorse. However, the platform itself hasn’t really caught on. Most folks end up buying these devices based on their solid specs and user experience, rather than specifically seeking out a Copilot+ PC. But this narrative might see a shift with a new feature rolling out exclusively for these PCs.

Recently, a Windows 11 Dev Channel Insider build introduced an enhanced Windows Search feature. Leveraging AI, this tool simplifies finding files by letting you search in plain language. It’s a boon for those who tend to forget file names, as the AI runs locally on Copilot+ machines to help locate what you need more intuitively.

Until now, Copilot+ PCs have been missing that one killer feature, something that sets them apart. Windows tapped into capabilities that exclusively harness network processing units (NPUs) in Copilot+ machines, but these haven’t been game-changers. For instance, Windows Studio Effects are nice enough, but not compelling enough to drive purchases. There’s buzz around Windows Recall potentially turning heads, but it’s been postponed multiple times.

Moreover, the branding around Copilot+ PCs throws many for a loop—especially with Microsoft slapping the Copilot label on nearly everything these days. There’s a distinction between AI PCs and Copilot+ PCs, which adds to the buyer’s homework before they invest in an AI-ready device. The fact that Copilot+ PCs primarily ran Windows 11 on Arm for months only muddled things further.

Last year, I delved into the complex launch of the Copilot+ PC and even made some forecasts for 2025. If Microsoft can nail down some exclusive features this year, they might shift consumer focus towards these PCs purposefully, instead of unintentionally buying one. An enhanced Windows Search might be the first feature they really need.

Microsoft recently detailed the upcoming experiences for Copilot+ PCs in their blog:

### New Copilot+ PC Experiences

#### Improved Windows Search

We’re transforming how you find documents, photos, and settings in Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs. By integrating semantic with traditional indexing, whether you’re exploring in File Explorer, the Windows search box, or within Settings—type your thoughts and find what you need. Forget about recalling exact file names, specific terms within file content, or setting names. Imagine finding an image by typing “bridge at sunset” or a document by describing it like, “Europe trip budget,” plus adjusting settings like “change my theme.” With the mighty 40+ TOPS NPU housed within Copilot+ PCs, these search enhancements operate even offline.

As of today, this improved search is functional for files stored locally in indexed locations on your Copilot+ PC. Head to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows to tweak which spots on your PC are indexed—or flip on “Enhanced” to capture your entire PC. Looking ahead, support for cloud-stored documents and photos in platforms like OneDrive is expected.

For settings like “change my theme,” you’ll need to use the Settings app for now. But soon enough, you’ll be able to do this straight from the Windows search box on the taskbar.

These enriched Windows Search experiences will first roll out to Windows Insiders with Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with AMD and Intel devices catching up shortly. It supports select languages—Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish—and document formats, including .txt, .pdf, .docx, .doc, .rtf, .pptx, .ppt, .xls, .xlsx for documents and .jpg/.jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .ico for images.

#### New Text Action for Click to Do (Preview)

Coming to Copilot+ PCs is a fresh text action for Click to Do called Refine. Curious to try it? Simply hit Win + Click over a block of text or press Win + Q and navigate to the text you aim to polish up. Once you open the menu, you’ll find the new option under Rewrite > Refine.