Copilot on Windows: Semantic File Search and Redesigned On-Device AI Home

Microsoft’s latest Insider update for Copilot on Windows shifts the app’s interface and search capabilities into a more integrated, AI-first direction — bringing semantic file search to capable machines and a redesigned Copilot home that folds recent apps, files, and conversations into a single hub for on-device assistance. (blogs.windows.com, theverge.com)

Background​

Windows has been steadily folding generative and assistive AI into core desktop workflows, and the Copilot on Windows app is the central vector for that strategy. The Windows Insider program has become the testing ground for new Copilot features before any broad consumer rollout, and this latest release is another example of Microsoft gating advanced functionality by hardware capability — specifically by the class of devices Microsoft calls Copilot+ PCs, which include an on-device Neural Processing Unit (NPU) rated at 40+ TOPS. (microsoft.com, blogs.microsoft.com)
That hardware gating matters because the update introduces two distinct but complementary changes:

• Semantic file search that uses natural language queries to locate files and images stored locally (initially limited to Copilot+ PCs). (blogs.windows.com, techradar.com)
• A redesigned Copilot home that surfaces recent apps, files, and Copilot conversations as actionable items, enabling quick Vision sessions and fast file uploads into the Copilot chat. (blogs.windows.com, neowin.net)

Both features are being distributed to Windows Insiders through staged Microsoft Store updates (app version 1.25082.132.0 and higher) and are rolling out gradually across Insider channels. (blogs.windows.com, neowin.net)

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What’s new: Feature breakdown​

Semantic file search — natural language for local files​

The headline capability in this update is semantic file search, which Microsoft describes as a way to find content by meaning rather than exact filenames or metadata. Users on qualifying Copilot+ hardware can type queries such as “find images of bridges at sunset on my PC,” “find my CV,” or “find the file with the chicken tostada recipe,” and Copilot will return relevant matches drawn from indexed local locations. This is intended to work across File Explorer, the taskbar search box, and Settings where applicable.
Key details:

• Works on Copilot+ PCs first, leveraging the device’s NPU for on-device inference to keep search fast and to reduce cloud dependency. (microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)
• Searches are limited to indexed locations and the standard Windows “Recent” folder by default; administrators and users can adjust which folders are indexed via Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
• The capability is optimized for select languages (English, Chinese — Simplified, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish) and specific file formats. Supported upload/read formats for Copilot include .png, .jpeg, .svg, .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .csv, .json, and .txt.

Why this matters: traditional Windows search relies heavily on filename/token matching and metadata. Semantic search brings content understanding — including visual descriptors for images and contextual cues inside documents — closer to what users already try to express in plain English. When running on an NPU-equipped Copilot+ machine, this analysis can occur locally and with low latency. (blogs.windows.com, microsoft.com)

Redesigned Copilot home — a workflow hub​

The other visible change is a redesigned Copilot home surface that brings together:

• Recent applications in a “get guided help with your apps” area that can initiate Copilot Vision sessions to analyze and guide through the active app window. (blogs.windows.com, theverge.com)
• A left-pane stream of recent files and photos that can be clicked to upload into the Copilot chat for summarization, object identification, or follow-up conversation. (blogs.windows.com, neowin.net)
• Recent conversation history to pick up where a session left off, making Copilot more of a persistent workspace than a one-off assistant.

This redesign is not merely visual: it’s intended to shorten the path between a user recognizing they need help (for example, with a spreadsheet or photo) and Copilot being able to act on the relevant content without multiple manual steps. Microsoft emphasizes that clicking a file to attach it to Copilot is an explicit action that delegates permission to process that file.

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Technical and hardware context​

What is a Copilot+ PC?​

Copilot+ PCs are a defined class of Windows 11 machines equipped with a high-performance NPU capable of 40+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second). This hardware tier was introduced publicly in Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC announcement and is key to enabling on-device AI features such as Recall, Cocreator, Live Captions with translation, and now improved Windows search experiences. Early Copilot+ systems included Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series platforms, with AMD Ryzen AI 300 and Intel Core Ultra 200V family processors later appearing as qualifying silicon. (blogs.microsoft.com, microsoft.com)
Why NPUs matter:

• NPUs are specialized for the matrix and tensor operations common in neural network inference, making tasks like image recognition and natural language understanding more efficient than on general-purpose CPUs or even GPUs.
• On-device NPUs enable low-latency, offline-capable AI experiences and reduce dependency on cloud roundtrips for certain features, which is particularly important for privacy-conscious scenarios or intermittent connectivity. (microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)

On-device vs cloud processing​

Microsoft’s messaging separates what Copilot “shows” from what it “processes.” The redesigned home surfaces metadata (recent files and apps) by referencing standard Windows elements like the Recent folder. Processing of file content — whether it’s summarizing a document or running object detection on an image — happens only when the user explicitly attaches or sends the file to Copilot for analysis. For semantic search on Copilot+ PCs, much of the indexing and inference is performed locally on the device’s NPU.

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Privacy, permissions, and user control​

Microsoft’s communications highlight several privacy guardrails:

• Copilot surfaces recent files by reading the standard Windows “Recent” folder rather than performing a blind scan of the entire disk. The app does not upload these files to Microsoft automatically. (blogs.windows.com, neowin.net)
• Explicit user action is required to attach and send a file to Copilot for processing; that action gives Copilot permission to process the content.
• Permission controls live inside the Copilot app under Settings → Permissions, and Windows’ indexed locations can be adjusted in Settings → Privacy & security → Searching Windows.

Practical implications for users:

• Users who are cautious about sensitive material should verify indexed locations and adjust Copilot permissions before relying on semantic search or Vision sessions. These controls allow selective exposure of content to on-device AI and to cloud services if/when a Copilot request requires external processing.
• IT administrators in managed environments will need to review group policies and administrative controls around Copilot features such as Recall and Click to Do, particularly because some Copilot+ experiences were introduced with enterprise controls in mind. (microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)

Caveat: Microsoft’s public descriptions are precise on mechanisms and controls, but the actual behavior can vary by feature flag, region, build, and device. Users and IT teams should validate behavior in their own environment rather than assuming parity with marketing text. (blogs.windows.com, neowin.net)

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Real-world scenarios and user experience​

Faster discovery of lost files​

Semantic search excels when users remember the concept of a file rather than its name. Example real-world queries that are now possible:

• “Find the trip budget I worked on last March” (searching document content and dates).
• “Find images of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset” (searching visual descriptors in photos).

Guided help inside apps​

The redesigned Copilot home lets the user launch a Vision session for a specific app. That flow is useful for:

• Getting step-by-step help in complex productivity apps like spreadsheet formulas or presentation layout.
• Running Copilot Vision on a browser tab or application window to extract context or provide instructions without the user having to manually copy and paste content.

File-aware conversations​

Clicking a recent file to upload it to Copilot reduces friction for tasks such as summarizing meeting notes, extracting figures from spreadsheets, or translating a contract clause. These workflows are particularly valuable for rapid triage of documents and for accessibility scenarios where summarization or object-labeling can help users navigate content faster.

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Strengths and immediate benefits​

• Familiar language interface: People typically search by meaning; semantic search fills that user-experience gap and reduces friction.
• On-device acceleration: When running on Copilot+ hardware, much of the computation happens locally on the NPU, improving speed and enabling offline-capable scenarios.
• Workflow consolidation: The new Copilot home reduces task-switching by surfacing recent items and offering direct actions (Vision sessions, file uploads) from a single panel.
• Permissioned interactions: Explicit attach/upload semantics and a focus on indexing rather than blanket scanning add a degree of transparency and user control.

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Risks, limitations, and open questions​

Hardware gating and fragmentation​

By prioritizing Copilot+ machines for advanced semantic search, Microsoft introduces a two-tier experience across the Windows ecosystem. While NPUs enable faster, offline processing, this approach risks fragmenting the user base: many users on traditional Intel/AMD machines may not see the same capabilities or may receive them later. Microsoft has signaled Intel- and AMD-based Copilot+ support is coming, but timing and parity remain variable. (blogs.windows.com, microsoft.com)

Indexing scope and blind spots​

Semantic search operates on indexed locations and the Recent folder, not the whole disk by default. That means users who store content in non-indexed locations, external drives, or certain cloud containers may not see results unless they change indexing settings. The convenience of semantic queries must be balanced against the need to configure the system to include relevant folders.

Privacy perception vs reality​

Microsoft’s statements about not scanning or uploading files automatically are accurate as written, but public perception will hinge on clarity and transparency:

• The distinction between “showing recent files” and “processing file contents” is subtle and may confuse users, particularly around what happens when a file is clicked in the Copilot home. Clear UI affordances, explicit consent dialogs, and robust default settings are essential to maintain trust.

Compatibility and edge cases​

Copilot Vision and semantic search rely on supported file formats and languages. Non-supported file types, encrypted documents, or files in proprietary formats will not be processed. This will create edge cases in mixed workflows, particularly for enterprise users with legacy formats or industry-specific files.

Transparency of local inference​

On-device NPUs improve latency and reduce cloud exposure, but the relationship between local inference and cloud model augmentation is complex. There are scenarios where Copilot may fall back on cloud services for language understanding or to enrich results; such fallbacks should be visible to users and governed by explicit privacy settings. The current documentation lacks granular telemetry detail about when processing leaves the device. This is an area where more clarity would assuage privacy- and compliance-minded users. (microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)

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Practical guidance for Windows Insiders and early adopters​

• Check the Copilot app version: ensure Copilot on Windows is at 1.25082.132.0 or higher to receive the new home and semantic search features. Updates are distributed via the Microsoft Store and may be staged. (blogs.windows.com, neowin.net)
• Verify device eligibility: semantic file search (initially) requires a Copilot+ PC. Confirm whether the device is listed as Copilot+ in Windows settings or vendor materials.
• Review privacy settings: open Copilot → Settings → Permissions to confirm what Copilot can access, and open Settings → Privacy & security → Searching Windows to manage indexed locations.
• Test Vision sessions cautiously: before sharing sensitive app windows or documents, consider whether local inference suffices or if cloud processing will be triggered; avoid sharing highly sensitive data until enterprise policies are confirmed.

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Enterprise implications​

For IT decision-makers, the update surfaces several operational considerations:

• Fleet heterogeneity: Deploying Copilot+ capabilities at scale requires hardware refresh plans that prioritize NPU-equipped devices if the organization relies on semantic search and other on-device AI features.
• Policy and compliance: Enterprises must define policies around Copilot file access, logging, and telemetry. Microsoft has introduced administrative controls for some Copilot features, but each organization should validate behavior in a controlled environment.
• User training: Because Copilot changes how users find files and get help, IT will need to update guidance and support documentation so users don’t circumvent security practices out of convenience.

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The strategic picture: Microsoft’s AI in Windows​

This release is part of a broader Microsoft strategy to make AI a platform-level capability in Windows rather than an optional add-on. By centralizing search, assistance, and vision-driven guidance inside Copilot, Microsoft reduces the surface for point solutions and positions Copilot as the primary UX for discovery and contextual help on Windows devices. The hardware-first Copilot+ approach also signals a long-term shift: Microsoft expects NPUs to be a standard component in future PCs, and it is designing features that assume local inference will be available. (blogs.microsoft.com, blogs.windows.com)
That said, success depends on execution: delivering consistent cross-silicon parity, making permission flows clear, and ensuring enterprise governance are all necessary steps before Copilot becomes the default discovery layer for business and consumer users alike. Early previews show promise, but they also expose the trade-offs inherent in hardware gating and rapid feature iteration. (neowin.net, techradar.com)

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Conclusion​

Microsoft’s latest Insider update for Copilot on Windows makes tangible progress toward conversational, context-aware file discovery and a more integrated assistant experience. Semantic file search on Copilot+ PCs and a redesigned Copilot home together reduce friction between recognition (what the user remembers) and action (what the system can do), while on-device NPU acceleration preserves speed and offers an offline-capable path for AI features. (blogs.windows.com, microsoft.com)
At the same time, the release highlights perennial challenges for AI-enabled platforms: hardware fragmentation, clear and enforceable privacy controls, and predictable behavior across diverse enterprise environments. Early adopters should validate indexing and permission settings before relying on semantic results for sensitive workflows, and organizations should plan hardware and policy updates if they intend to embrace the Copilot+ vision long term.
For now, the update is a clear signal that Windows’ Copilot project is evolving beyond a sidebar assistant into a central hub for search, vision, and document-aware workflows — and that the next generation of PCs will be measured not just by CPU and GPU, but by the AI silicon they carry and the privacy controls they provide. (blogs.windows.com, blogs.microsoft.com)

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Source: BetaNews Microsoft gives Copilot on Windows another new look