Microsoft has introduced a long-awaited feature in Copilot for Windows 11 and Windows 10, enabling the AI assistant to search for files stored locally or synced through OneDrive. This functionality was previously available only to Windows Insider participants, but it is now accessible to all Copilot users, according to Windows Latest.
The "File Search" feature in Copilot utilizes Windows Search indexing, allowing users to find documents by name, type, or date. Supported formats include Microsoft Office (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), PDF, text files, and more. However, specific developer extensions, such as .dart, are currently not searchable.
By default, Copilot has access only to the "Documents" and "Downloads" folders, but users can customize the search area in Windows permissions settings. To activate the feature, users need to enable it in the Copilot settings. Microsoft deliberately did not enable it by default due to privacy concerns.
The company states that the feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks and does not require a Copilot Pro subscription. Microsoft sees local file search as a natural extension of Copilot's integration into the desktop environment, helping users quickly locate documents and interact with them without leaving the chat interface.
