Microsoft Is Testing an AI-Powered Search in Windows 11
Microsoft is slowly changing how search works in Windows 11. Instead of relying only on the traditional Windows Search, the company is now testing a new AI-powered option called Ask Copilot on the taskbar.
This feature is currently available to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta channels, and it is rolling out gradually.
What Is Ask Copilot on the Taskbar?
Ask Copilot is a new search box that replaces the regular Windows Search box on the taskbar. Once enabled, it hides the classic search and shows an AI-powered search instead.
This feature is connected to Microsoft 365 Copilot, which is mainly designed for enterprise and productivity users. However, even without a Microsoft 365 subscription, Ask Copilot can still perform local searches for apps and files on your PC.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Windows Search has never had the best reputation. Many users find it slow, inconsistent, and sometimes heavy on system resources. Ask Copilot feels noticeably faster and more responsive when searching for apps and files.
UPDATE: To find out what type of indexing Ask Copilot uses, I turned off Windows Search indexing. Ask Copilot then showed a notification asking me to turn Windows indexing back on for better results. This confirms that Ask Copilot uses the same indexing system as Windows Search. There’s nothing new on the backend—Microsoft is simply adding AI on top of the existing search system.
As soon as you start typing, results appear almost instantly. Apps like Edge, GIMP, and other installed programs show up quickly, making everyday searches feel smoother.
Two Searches at the Same Time
Even after enabling Ask Copilot, the search inside the Start menu still exists. This means Windows 11 currently offers:
The classic Windows Search inside Start
The new AI-powered Ask Copilot on the taskbar
Both can find apps and files, but Ask Copilot also has the potential to answer questions and provide AI-based help—if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Subscription Limits
Without a Microsoft 365 subscription, you cannot chat with Copilot or ask general questions like "What is Mount Everest?" However, local searches for apps and files still work—and they work very well.
This makes Ask Copilot useful even for users who are not paying for Microsoft 365.
The company is also experimenting with agent launchers on the taskbar, showing that AI will play a much bigger role in future Windows versions.
You can read the full announcement on the official Microsoft blog here:
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/12/19/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-7522-dev-beta-channels/
What This Means for the Future
Ask Copilot is still in testing, but it clearly shows where Windows is heading. Microsoft is slowly replacing traditional system features with AI-powered alternatives.
While Windows Search is not going away just yet, this looks like the first step toward an AI-first search experience in Windows 11.
I’ve also made a video on this topic — you can watch it below.
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