Overview
- Microsoft unveiled the redesigned Windows Search on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and began limited testing in the Windows Insider Experimental channel with English‑only, feature‑flagged builds.
- The interface is rebuilt on WinUI 3 into a single vertical panel with the search box at the bottom to cut preview clutter and deliver measurable speed and RAM improvements in early tests.
- Search now exposes inline actions — Microsoft says there will be 'thousands' — that let users complete tasks from the Taskbar such as toggling dark mode, adjusting mic volume, arranging windows, taking screenshots, or sending texts via Phone Link.
- Copilot is integrated into Search with 'local context' and 'local actions' so it can access files and perform changes on the PC when permitted, a capability Microsoft says it will refine in future Insider builds.
- The rollout is staged: Microsoft will restore richer preview cards, add more action types, and expand language and user availability over the coming weeks and months as it tunes performance, privacy controls, and UX.