Windows Search preview adds commands to mute audio and minimise windows
Microsoft has released a new preview of Windows Search that adds command capabilities alongside faster, cleaner search results. The update allows users to directly execute actions such as muting audio or minimising windows through the search box, addressing longstanding frustrations with Windows Search performance and usability.
Now rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel, the Actions feature processes commands entered into the search box with confirmation messages. The redesigned interface reduces clutter and improves handling for typos and synonyms, whilst WinUI 3 delivers "substantial improvements in performance and memory usage". The English-only preview will receive inline previews and richer file details later this year.
- Windows Search now executes commands like mute and minimise windows directly.
- New preview offers faster results with less clutter and better typo handling.
- Feature rolling out to Windows Insiders; English-only for now.
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Windows Search is the built-in search tool in Microsoft's Windows operating system, designed to help users find files, programmes and information on their computers. Since its introduction in 2004, the tool has been criticised by users for being slow and unreliable.
The poor performance has long frustrated Windows users, many of whom have turned to alternative search solutions or given up using it altogether. Because Windows Search is deeply integrated into the operating system, a sluggish or unhelpful search tool affects the experience of millions of computer owners.
Microsoft has recognised these longstanding issues and is redesigning Windows Search to improve both speed and usefulness. The company is working to expand what the search box can do by adding command capabilities, so users can control aspects of their computer directly through search rather than navigating through multiple applications.
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Originally published by The Register as “Windows Search learns to take orders”.