NIX Solutions: AI-Powered Search Enhancements in Windows 11

Microsoft is leveraging AI-powered algorithms to enhance the search functionality of Windows 11 on its new Copilot Plus PCs. A standout feature is Click to Do, a tool comparable to Google’s Circle to Search, designed to streamline the process of searching across images, emails, documents, and even videos. These AI-driven search features will be available on Copilot Plus PCs next month.

Enhanced AI-Powered Search Capabilities

“AI-powered search makes it easier to find almost anything. You no longer need to remember file names, document locations, or specific keywords. Windows will better understand your intent and locate the document, image, file, or email you’re searching for,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows, when announcing the new features.

NIX Solutions

In the coming months, these improvements will also extend to the primary Windows 11 search interface and the search box within Settings. The enhanced search will allow users to not only find files but also navigate to specific settings sections more quickly. For example, typing “add my headphones” will guide the user directly to the relevant menu. Historically, Windows search has been lacking, and this natural language search capability is expected to offer a significant improvement.

Click to Do: A New Interactive Tool

Next month, Microsoft will introduce the Click to Do feature. By holding down the Windows key and left-clicking on the screen, users can activate an interactive overlay that allows them to select a portion of an image or text for further action. Click to Do will work in various situations, such as searching the web for visual elements seen in a YouTube video. It also has applications with text, enabling users to summarize or rewrite documents or send emails more efficiently.

The Click to Do feature and the upgraded Windows search will initially be available to Copilot Plus PCs through Microsoft’s Insider program this month. A broader release of these updates will begin in November on compatible devices, adds NIX Solutions.

Testing and Future Updates

In addition to Click to Do, Microsoft is testing another feature called Recall, which logs all user actions within the operating system. This feature will be available to Insiders on devices with Qualcomm processors in October, followed by a release on Copilot Plus PCs with Intel and AMD chips in November. The timeline for a wider rollout of the Recall feature is not yet confirmed, but we’ll keep you updated.

These new AI-powered tools are part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to improve the overall search experience in Windows 11, enhancing productivity and ease of use for users across a range of tasks.