Microsoft is testing a new Windows Search version for improved relevance, faster performance, and reduced ads, available to Windows Insiders. Updates include better source labeling, two-character file search support, and reliability improvements. Also testing resizable taskbar, Start menu, and modern Run dialog with dark mode.
| IOC Type | Value | Description | Relevant MITRE ATT&CK Techniques |
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| Code | Title |
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| Type | Value |
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| Sector | Technology, specifically Windows Insiders users |
Microsoft is now testing a cleaner and faster version of Windows Search that should prioritize relevant results over ads and promotional content. These changes are part of a broader effort to improve Windows search, announced by Windows president Pavan Davuluri in March and aimed at delivering a more consistent experience across the Start menu, taskbar, File Explorer, and Settings. According to a Monday blog post by Jeff Petty and Anderson Aiziro of Microsoft's Windows and Bing Search teams, these changes are available to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel via several Windows Search Box updates that began rolling out on Monday. The new Windows Search is being rolled out via a Controlled Feature Rollout, meaning not all Insiders will see it immediately. However, users can reboot to check for access, and the features are also available via feature flags. "You've been asking for search that is faster, more relevant, and easier to use—whether you're opening an app, finding a file, or changing a setting," Petty and Aiziro said . "Because the Windows Search Box is where many people start, we focused first on making results more dependable, easier to scan, and clearer before you click." Results now more clearly indicate their source (whether it's from an app, Windows setting, file, web result, or Store suggestion), so the users know what they're clicking before they do, and a new setting under Settings > Privacy & Security > Search lets them choose whether Microsoft Store and web suggestions will appear alongside local results. Cleaner Windows search (before and after) (Microsoft) Local content is also more reliably prioritized when it's the stronger match, file search now supports two-character queries along with improved visibility for cloud filesl, and Windows Search has become more forgiving of typos and partial words when searching for apps.
Microsoft also made reliability improvements, including reducing crashes and loading issues, and added that more improvements will be available soon. "Search is better at surfacing the right local files with added support for two-character file searches. We've also made improvements to show cloud and connected files in results when they're the stronger match. These changes help you get to the document, download, or folder you are looking for faster," they added. "Improved search reliability, including reducing likelihood of crashing and loading issue, with more work underway." The company added that these updates reflect prior feedback and encouraged Windows 11 Insiders to share additional input via the Feedback Hub under Desktop Environment > Search. In May, as part of the same effort to improve Windows 11 system performance and consistency, Microsoft also started testing a resizable Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu, as well as a faster, modern Windows Run dialog with dark mode support, available to Insiders in the Experimental channel. Test every layer before attackers do Security teams log 54% of successful attacks and alert on just 14%. The rest move through your environment unseen. The Picus whitepaper shows how breach and attack simulation tests your SIEM and EDR rules so threats stop slipping by detection. Get the whitepaper