Windows 11 already includes a search capability that might help you uncover old images and papers buried somewhere on your machine. But now you may do it even if the files are stored on the cloud.That is exactly what Microsoft’s latest update adds to Windows 11’s search functionality. Windows Search allows you to search for files saved in the cloud.
Windows 11 Search Gets Cloud File Support
For the first time, Windows Search will fetch results from cloud storage like OneDrive.
This feature arrives with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3291, which is presently available in the Dev and Beta Channels. Microsoft is evaluating these modifications with Insiders before making them available to everyone in a future stable version.
The exact timeline for when this will be available for all Windows 11 users isn’t confirmed. However, major updates like this typically make their way to the stable version within a few months. It should arrive possibly as part of the Windows 11 24H2 update expected later this year.
Windows Search cloud capability is currently being rolled out to Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon CPUs. However, Microsoft intends to make it available on AMD and Intel PCs in the near future. While only OneDrive is currently enabled, Windows Search will eventually include third-party cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox.
Do you use a work or school account? You can search for keywords in text documents, but comprehensive photo search is currently restricted to personal accounts.
This update also makes Windows Search more powerful than before. Instead of searching for precise file names, it now recognizes the content of your files. For example, if you saved a ticket for your vacation but forgot the name, you can simply search for “travel to Hawaii.”
Windows will find it based on the content inside the file, even if the filename doesn’t match. If you’ve ever struggled to remember what you named a document, this change will make finding files much easier. However, for the search to work efficiently, you should keep your PC plugged in while it indexes all your files for the first time. This is similar to how your phone needs time to organize photos before you can search for them by description.
Not everyone will receive these changes right away because they are being released gradually. You will probably be among the first to notice the enhanced search if you are using a Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon processor. One minor but important update is the ability to locate your cloud files directly from the search bar. It facilitates the management of digital clutter, and third-party cloud storage support is on the horizon.