You can search for files in Windows using Copilot now – here's how

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• You can now search for files through the Copilot app.
• The new search requires a Copilot+ PC and Windows 11 insider access.
• The feature works by scanning the files in your Recents folder.

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Microsoft continues to expand the power and reach of its Copilot AI to provide greater assistance, especially to Windows users. A new skill now rolling out will let you use the Windows Copilot app to search for your photos, documents, and other files using natural language.

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In a blog post published Wednesday, Microsoft announced the new “semantic file search” and described how it works. In short, you’re able to take advantage of the enhanced search capabilities directly through the Copilot app instead of relying on the controversial Recall or other AI-based features. By using natural language, you can describe the type of file you need without having to remember its name or any of the specific words in the file.

Sounds cool. But before you dive in, know that you must meet a couple of requirements.

Requirements 

First, you’ll need a Copilot+ PC, which Microsoft has been using as the platform to test its AI initiatives. Second, you’ll have to be part of the Windows insider program, as the new feature is available only on the latest Windows 11 insider builds.

How to try

If you qualify, here’s how to try this. Fire up the Copilot app in Windows. At the prompt, type a description of the files you seek. Here are a few examples served up by Microsoft.

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If you’re looking for a specific file, such as your resume, simply type “Find my resume.” If you want a file with specific content but don’t know the name, type something like “find the file with the chicken tostada recipe.” And if you’re searching for a group of photos or other images, type something like “find images of bridges at sunset.” In response, Copilot should display links to the resulting files, which you can then select to open.

Concerned about Copilot peeking at your personal files? Microsoft says that the feature works through the Recents folder, which shows all the recent documents and files you’ve opened. Rather than scan your entire PC, the AI checks only these recent files and only those stored locally.

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Further, Copilot can find only certain types of files, specifically image files (.png, .jpeg, and .svg), Adobe PDF files (.pdf), Microsoft Word documents (.docx), Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx and .csv), and text files (.txt and .json).

If you attach a file and submit it to Copilot as part of your prompt, the AI processes it but won’t share it. You can also tweak the permissions to tell Copilot what it can access, retrieve, and read. To do that, head to the Copilot Settings under Permission settings.

There’s more

If you select a recent application via the “Get guided help with your apps” section in the new Copilot Windows app, a Copilot Vision session kicks off to answer your questions about what it sees on the screen.

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Further, you can automatically send a file to the Copilot app for analysis. For this, select the file of your choice in the left pane in the app to upload it to Copilot. From there, the AI is able to summarize the file, identify items in a photo or other image, or simply chat with you about it.

If you meet all the requirements but don’t yet see the new search options, be patient. Microsoft says that the features are still rolling out, so not all insiders will get them right off the bat. To check your version of Copilot, open the app and select About. If the new AI file search has reached your PC, the version of Copilot should read 1.25082.132.0 or higher.