Microsoft has improved search in Windows 11 using AI and added an analogue of Circle to Search to the OS

Microsoft has used artificial intelligence algorithms to improve search in Windows 11 on the new Copilot Plus PCs. One notable addition is the Click to Do feature, which is similar to Google’s previously introduced Circle to Search tool and is designed to make it easier to search through images, emails, documents, and even videos. This and other Windows 11 AI search features will roll out to Copilot Plus PCs next month.

Image source: Microsoft

«AI-powered search will make it much easier to find almost anything. You no longer need to remember file names and document locations, or any specific words. Windows will better understand your intentions and find the document, image, file or email you need,” Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft vice president in charge of Windows development, commented on the launch of new features.

Improved search will also be available “in the coming months” in the main Windows 11 search interface and the search field that appears in the settings section. This will make it easier to search not only for files, but also for certain sections with settings. For example, in the search for settings, you can write “add my headphones” to quickly go to interact with the corresponding menu. Windows search hasn’t been very good for years, so being able to search for things based on natural language queries should improve things significantly.

In addition, Microsoft will begin rolling out the Click to Do feature next month. To interact with it, just hold down the Windows key on the keyboard and left-click on the screen. After this, an interactive overlay tool will appear on the screen, with which you can select part of the image or text for further actions. The Click to Do function can be used in different situations, for example, to search the Internet for some visual elements that the user saw while watching a video on YouTube. In addition to this, the function can work with texts, so it will be useful when summarizing or rewriting documents, sending emails, etc.

Microsoft will begin testing Click to Do and improved Windows search as part of its Insider program on Copilot Plus PCs this month. In November, the gradual deployment of innovations on compatible devices will begin. The previously announced Recall function, which records all user actions in the OS, will also become available to insiders with devices based on Qualcomm processors in October, and in November it will appear on Copilot Plus PC computers with chips from Intel and AMD. It is not yet known when the mass deployment of the Recall function will begin.