Microsoft has started rolling out a meaningful update to the Copilot app for Windows Insiders that brings semantic file search (on Copilot+ PCs) and a redesigned Copilot homepage with quicker access to recent apps, files, and Vision-driven guidance — a staged release that promises faster, more natural file discovery while keeping most heavy AI work on-device. (blogs.windows.com) (windowscentral.com)
Microsoft has been steadily folding more AI capabilities into Windows 11 under the Copilot and Copilot+ initiatives for months. Early previews of on-device semantic search and Vision-driven assistance have been visible in Insider flights since January and April 2025, and this August rollout extends that preview into the Copilot app itself, packaging semantic file search and a new homepage into the Copilot on Windows experience. (blogs.windows.com)
Two key practical benefits of on-device semantic search:
At the same time, the rollout’s hardware restrictions, the privacy questions that persist around snapshot and indexing features, and the well-known instability of early Insider channels mean cautious testing is the right approach. Insiders who get access to the update should evaluate it on non-critical machines, pay close attention to privacy controls, and feed detailed feedback back into the preview process — that is the very purpose of the Insider program and the best path to a polished, enterprise-ready release.
The update is live in the Insider channels now as a staged rollout; testers should watch for Copilot app version 1.25082.132.0 or later and consult Copilot Settings for the permission and indexing controls that govern these new capabilities. (blogs.windows.com)
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Copilot on Windows: Semantic Search and new homepage begin rolling out to Windows Insiders
Background
Microsoft has been steadily folding more AI capabilities into Windows 11 under the Copilot and Copilot+ initiatives for months. Early previews of on-device semantic search and Vision-driven assistance have been visible in Insider flights since January and April 2025, and this August rollout extends that preview into the Copilot app itself, packaging semantic file search and a new homepage into the Copilot on Windows experience. (blogs.windows.com)- The new Copilot app update is rolling out via the Microsoft Store to Insider Channels and is marked as Copilot app version 1.25082.132.0 and higher. (blogs.windows.com)
- Semantic file search is explicitly limited to Copilot+ PCs at launch — devices certified with on-device AI acceleration (NPUs). Microsoft has prioritized Snapdragon-based Copilot+ hardware first, with AMD and Intel Copilot+ support arriving progressively. (windowscentral.com, blogs.windows.com)
- The update is a phased rollout: not every Insider will see the features immediately, and Microsoft is gating features per device, region, and channel. (blogs.windows.com)
What is semantic file search — and how is it different?
A leap from keyword to meaning
Traditional local search looks for file names, metadata, or literal keyword matches inside documents. Semantic file search introduces meaning-aware indexing: the system builds richer descriptors for files (images and documents) so you can search using natural phrases rather than exact filenames or literal words inside a file.- Example queries called out by Microsoft: “find images of bridges at sunset on my PC,” “find my cv,” or “find the file with the chicken tostada recipe.” The engine returns results by interpreting meaning, visual content, and contextual signals rather than exact string matches. (blogs.windows.com)
- Supported local file formats in earlier previews and related documentation include common document types (.docx, .pdf, .pptx, .xlsx, .txt) and image formats (.jpg/.jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp). Coverage of supported types has been consistent across Microsoft previews and independent reporting. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)
Why on-device matters
Microsoft emphasizes local, on-device execution for core semantic indexing on Copilot+ PCs by leveraging each machine’s neural processing unit (NPU). On-device inference reduces latency, preserves responsiveness offline, and helps Microsoft make a stronger claim that sensitive data need not be sent to the cloud by default. The company points to NPUs with 40+ TOPS of compute as a key enabler of this capability. (blogs.windows.com)Two key practical benefits of on-device semantic search:
- Speed: Local models run without network round-trips, giving nearly instantaneous results for many queries.
- Privacy surface area: Data processed for indexing and search can be constrained to local storage and encrypted hardware surfaces.
What semantic search does not do automatically
Microsoft is careful to state that Copilot won’t “scan your entire system” or upload everything implicitly. The Copilot homepage surfaces files from the standard Windows “Recent” folder, and explicit actions (like attaching a file to a Copilot chat) give Copilot permission to process that item. These safety guardrails are part of Microsoft’s preview messaging. (blogs.windows.com)The redesigned Copilot homepage: what’s new
The Copilot app’s homepage has been rebuilt to be a productivity dashboard that puts frequently used materials and starting points at the center:- Recent apps and files appear on the left pane sourced from the Windows “Recent” folder.
- Get guided help with your apps surfaces recent applications and launches a Vision session when you select one, enabling real-time, contextual help without juggling windows. (blogs.windows.com)
- Clicking a recent file uploads it to the Copilot chat pane, where you can ask Copilot to summarize, analyze, or identify objects in images — an intentional shortcut to move from discovery to action. (blogs.windows.com)
Technical requirements and device limitations
Copilot+ PC certification
The semantic search feature is initially available only on Copilot+ PCs — a class of Windows PCs that include on-device NPUs and meet Microsoft’s certification for accelerated AI experiences. Early shipments of these features focused on Qualcomm Snapdragon-based Copilot+ hardware, with AMD and Intel Copilot+ models scheduled to follow. Independent reporting and Microsoft’s own messaging are aligned on this roadmap. (windowscentral.com, blogs.windows.com)On-device compute: the NPU story
Public Microsoft materials repeatedly cite 40+ TOPS as the ballpark NPU capability powering these features. That level of neural throughput allows local models for semantic indexing, visual recognition, and other inference tasks to run without cloud dependency for many queries. This is a distinct architectural choice compared with cloud-first image indexing approaches (e.g., Google Photos). (blogs.windows.com, theverge.com)What’s supported today vs. later
- Today: Local, indexed files stored in indexed locations; recent files surfaced in the Copilot homepage. Languages initially supported in previews include Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. (blogs.windows.com, windowscentral.com)
- Later: Microsoft has said support for cloud files (OneDrive) and broader device support (AMD/Intel Copilot+ PCs) will come in subsequent flights. Independent coverage confirms the roadmap but does not promise exact timelines. (windowscentral.com, howtogeek.com)
Privacy, security, and governance — what to watch for
Microsoft’s safety framing
Microsoft’s rollout messaging emphasizes:- Local indexing and processing where possible.
- Files are not shared automatically; only files you attach or explicitly allow Copilot to process are transmitted.
- The Copilot homepage shows files from the Windows “Recent” folder rather than scanning the whole drive silently. (blogs.windows.com)
Community and third-party scrutiny
Security practitioners, privacy advocates, and users previously raised concerns about features that snapshot activity or index local content (notably Recall). These concerns focused on:- Data retention and how long visual or textual snapshots are stored.
- Whether local encrypted stores could still be exfiltrated under some failure or misconfiguration.
- The potential for sensitive content (credit card numbers, passwords) to be inadvertently captured by automated snapshot or indexing systems. (tomshardware.com)
Enterprise controls and policy implications
For IT teams, the rollout raises practical questions:- How do Group Policy, Intune, and enterprise privacy controls interact with semantic indexing and Copilot’s file access?
- What telemetry, logs, or audit trails are available for administrators to confirm indexing behavior and retention?
- Does Copilot indexing violate organization data-handling rules if certain folders are indexed by default?
Real-world impact: productivity and usability
Faster discovery, fewer clicks
For users who manage many files and photos, semantic search can cut the friction of remembering filenames or exact text snippets. Microsoft claims significant time savings for common tasks, and independent observers agree that meaning-based search is a clear user-experience win where it works well. One Windows Experience post even quantified scenarios where improved search reduces time-to-action materially. Those measurements are meaningful but should be viewed as vendor claims until third-party benchmarks are widely available. (blogs.windows.com, howtogeek.com)From search to action within Copilot
The homepage interaction flow is especially compelling: find a file, click to upload into Copilot chat, and ask for a summary or image analysis. That reduces context-switching and moves Copilot from a passive assistant to an active workspace partner. For power users and creators, that can be a productivity multiplier.UX caveats
- Semantic results depend on how well files were indexed; some file types or locations may be excluded by default.
- When indexing is set to “Enhanced” (which can scan more of the PC), there may be increased disk and CPU usage during initial indexing runs.
- Because the rollout is gated, many Insiders will not get the full experience immediately. That can make community testing and discussion noisy and inconsistent. (blogs.windows.com)
Known issues and rollout risks
- Canary and early Insider flights carry instability risk: Microsoft’s Canary channel explicitly warns of regressions and features that may never ship. Several community reports catalog build-specific problems (Windows Hello PIN issues when switching channels, Group Policy pop-ups, rendering glitches, and Remote Desktop regressions). Admins and testers should not use Canary builds on production devices.
- Feature fragmentation: Releasing premium AI capabilities only on Copilot+ certified hardware risks fragmenting the Windows user base. Users on older devices or non-Copilot-certified machines will see delayed access or need to upgrade hardware to get full functionality. Independent outlets have called this a “big catch” to Microsoft’s AI push. (techradar.com, theverge.com)
- Privacy and feature creep: Even with opt-in flows and local-first processing, features that index screen snapshots or conversation history invite ongoing scrutiny. Carefully review settings, retention windows, and filtering options as features arrive. (tomshardware.com)
How to try the features (Insider-focused checklist)
- Join the Windows Insider Program and select an appropriate channel (Dev/Beta/Release Preview as recommended for the feature you want to test).
- Update the Copilot app via the Microsoft Store; the announced update requires Copilot app version 1.25082.132.0 or higher. (blogs.windows.com)
- Confirm your device is a Copilot+ PC (check OEM documentation and Windows Experience resources for Copilot+ certification). (blogs.windows.com)
- Adjust Windows indexing: Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows — enable “Enhanced” if you want the index to include more locations (with the caveat of initial indexing overhead). (blogs.windows.com)
- Open the Copilot app and review Copilot Settings > Permission settings to control what Copilot can access, retrieve, or read. Only attach files you explicitly want Copilot to process. (blogs.windows.com)
- Provide feedback: Use the Copilot profile menu’s “Give feedback” option to report issues directly to Microsoft while in preview. (blogs.windows.com)
Two-sided assessment: strengths and risks
Strengths
- Natural-language discovery: Semantic search finally brings Windows search up to modern expectations where users can describe rather than recall technical details.
- On-device performance: Running inference locally on NPUs reduces latency and supports offline scenarios.
- Integrated workflow: The new homepage collapses discovery and action into a single surface, accelerating common tasks like summarization or image identification. (blogs.windows.com)
Risks and limitations
- Hardware exclusivity: The Copilot+ restriction limits reach and risks user frustration if features remain behind a hardware fence for too long. (windowscentral.com)
- Privacy ambiguity for some users: Despite Microsoft’s safeguards, the presence of indexing and snapshot features will continue to generate questions from privacy-conscious users and enterprises. (tomshardware.com)
- Rollout and stability: Canary/Dev channel instability and staggered rollouts mean inconsistent experiences across testers, which complicates meaningful community feedback and benchmarks.
Practical recommendations
- For enthusiasts and early testers: Enable the preview on a dedicated test device (preferably Copilot+ certified) and evaluate indexing settings, retention controls, and the real-world accuracy of semantic matches before relying on it for important workflows. (blogs.windows.com)
- For privacy-conscious users: Keep Copilot permissions tightly controlled. Avoid broad “Enhanced” indexing unless you understand which folders will be included and review retention settings for snapshot-like features. (blogs.windows.com, tomshardware.com)
- For IT teams: Pilot semantic search and Copilot homepage features inside controlled groups, audit policies around indexing, and validate Group Policy/Intune settings to ensure compliance with organizational data-handling rules. Track Microsoft Insider release notes and known issues carefully before enabling preview features enterprise-wide.
Conclusion
This Copilot app update represents a clear step in Microsoft’s strategy to make Windows feel more intelligent and conversational — not just through cloud services but through localized, NPU-accelerated AI on Copilot+ hardware. The practical gains in findability and the streamlined Copilot homepage are compelling for everyday productivity, and when the features perform as promised they can substantially reduce time spent hunting for files.At the same time, the rollout’s hardware restrictions, the privacy questions that persist around snapshot and indexing features, and the well-known instability of early Insider channels mean cautious testing is the right approach. Insiders who get access to the update should evaluate it on non-critical machines, pay close attention to privacy controls, and feed detailed feedback back into the preview process — that is the very purpose of the Insider program and the best path to a polished, enterprise-ready release.
The update is live in the Insider channels now as a staged rollout; testers should watch for Copilot app version 1.25082.132.0 or later and consult Copilot Settings for the permission and indexing controls that govern these new capabilities. (blogs.windows.com)
Source: Microsoft - Windows Insiders Blog Copilot on Windows: Semantic Search and new homepage begin rolling out to Windows Insiders
