The long-criticized search feature of Windows is showing significant improvements with the latest update. However, these improvements will only be available on Snapdragon-supported Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft has yet to make any announcements regarding regular Windows 11 devices. It’s unclear whether these features will be available for devices without Copilot+ support in the future.

What does the new Windows Search offer?

The changes announced in the latest Dev Channel Insider version of Windows 11 introduce semantic indexing to the search system. This makes searches with natural language expressions smarter and helps find relevant content. For instance, if you search for the word “pasta,” Windows Search will not only show files with the word “pasta” but will also display images and documents related to dishes like lasagna or similar recipes. However, this feature is currently limited to local files and does not yet include cloud storage services (like OneDrive).

Microsoft has clearly stated that this enhanced search support will not be available on non-Copilot+ PCs. The company mentions that devices with Snapdragon processors featuring 40+ TOPS NPU power are required for this feature. This means that computers with AMD and Intel processors will not benefit from the new Windows Search features at this time.

However, Windows Insider users without a Copilot+ PC will still receive updates that include bug fixes and optimizations in areas like File Explorer and Task Manager. For instance, a bug that incorrectly identified some HDDs as SSDs has been fixed.

So, do you think Microsoft’s decision is fair? Should these advancements in Windows Search be available to all users? Share your thoughts in the comments!