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Microsoft is testing AI-powered Windows search<\/a> in a new dev channel build for Windows 11 Insider testers. Announced in October<\/a>, it uses semantic indexing to let users search for local files using more casual language. Like other Microsoft AI features, you\u2019ll need a Copilot Plus PC to use it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The feature applies whether you\u2019re using search boxes in Settings, File Explorer, or the taskbar. And you don\u2019t need to be connected to the internet for it to work, thanks to the NPU chips on Copilot Plus computers. For now, AI search is limited to Windows settings and files with image and text formats that include JPEG, PNG, PDF, TXT, and XLS.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Microsoft says that search only works for files in locations you\u2019ve chosen to index. Users can tweak those locations using options found under Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows, or turn on \u201cEnhanced\u201d to index their whole machine. The company adds that the feature will eventually expand to include cloud data such as that stored in OneDrive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n AI-powered Windows search \u201cwill gradually roll out to Windows Insiders on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs,\u201d Microsoft writes, with support for Intel or AMD Copilot Plus computers later. The feature will work for machines set to Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish languages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In addition to the new search, the build also includes AI writing tools offered by Click to Do, a feature that lets you choose from context-sensitive menus of options when you hold the Windows key down and left-click on your screen. Now, when you click a block of text and select Rewrite, there\u2019s a \u201cRefine\u201d option that can correct grammar for you. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n