Microsoft to integrate AI into Windows 11 for smarter search and taskbar functionality

The new features will roll out in early 2025

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What just happened? Microsoft unveiled two significant Windows 11 updates at its annual Ignite conference, using AI to improve the user experience. The new features are designed to enhance search (which Windows has always struggled with) and simplify daily tasks by integrating relevant information in the taskbar and Start menu.

One of the announced features is Microsoft 365 Companions for Windows 11, introduced by Windows Chief Pavan Davuluri. Microsoft 365 Companions is a new taskbar feature that integrates contacts, files, and calendar appointments, allowing users to access key information with a single click.

It is similar to the Phone Link app's companion experience introduced in the Windows 11 24H2 update, in which users are able to see recent messages and calls as well as the phone battery life at the side of the Start menu without having to open the Phone Link app.

While the full details of Microsoft 365 Companions were not fully disclosed, the preview shown at Ignite featured a floating panel of contacts, reminiscent of Microsoft's earlier Teams integration into the taskbar. This approach to information access could potentially extend beyond Microsoft's own applications, though it remains unclear whether third-party developers will have the opportunity to integrate their apps into this new taskbar experience.

In a parallel announcement, Microsoft revealed plans to leverage NPUs in Copilot+ laptops and other compatible hardware to supercharge Windows 11's built-in search capabilities. This enhancement will extend to the broader Windows Search function in the Start menu, as well as more specific searches within File Explorer and Settings.

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The upgraded search functionality will change how users locate files on their devices. Microsoft claims that users will be able to find documents and photos without needing to remember exact file names or content. Instead, they can describe the content or use synonyms to locate the desired files.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this update is the ability to search by image content, including any text found within images. This feature could be useful for users who frequently save document photos or screenshots for future reference. Importantly, this feature will operate locally, eliminating the need for an internet connection or the privacy concerns associated with that.

Microsoft has scheduled the rollout of these features for early 2025, with Snapdragon-powered machines getting initial access through the Windows Insider program.