5 Apps I Use To Make Windows Search More Like Macos Spotlight

Whenever I use a Mac, I'm always delighted by its excellent Spotlight Search feature. Accessible via an icon in the Menu Bar or the CMD + Spacebar keyboard shortcut, Spotlight is effortlessly snappy, clean and minimalistic, and generally spot on with its search results. Spotlight has been able to surface results for just about every inquiry I've ever thrown at it, with options to easily preview or to take actions on files and documents. On the other side of the spectrum is Windows Search -- Microsoft's native search tool within its flagship desktop operating system. In my experience, search is an unpleasant experience on Windows 11. Its main interface is visually cluttered, and it relies on slow web-based interface tech that doesn't follow Microsoft's own design language guidelines.

The search pane regularly stutters, it seems to always prioritize web results over my local media, and it sometimes fails to register the first letter I type out when initiating a search query. Thankfully, Microsoft has been hard at work improving the backend of Windows Search, by introducing artificial intelligence-based semantic indexing into the mix on compatible Copilot+ PCs. This improved search experience is still in preview, but it certainly looks promising. In the meantime, there are several excellent third-party search apps available for Windows 11 that can power up the Windows Search experience, with a hint of inspiration taken from macOS' Spotlight Search. Modern Windows apps can be thoughtfully designed, just like their iOS and Android counterparts - here are 12 perfect examples. Fluent Search is a third-party search tool for Windows that provides speedy results, all within an attractive design that leans into Microsoft's Fluent Design language.

The Spotlight Search built into macOS is one of those small but endlessly useful features. However, the only equivalent built into Windows is the Start menu, which is a far cry from what you can get on a Mac. Luckily for us, there are a host of third-party options that offer the same, and even better, functionality. Powertoys is packed with extra useful features, many of which should probably be included in Windows by default. It can be installed from the Microsoft Store or Github Working for home can be a trade-off in conveniences.

Here's how I use PowerToys toWFH smarter, not harder. Among the best is the Command Palette, which replaced the older PowerToys Run utility. At its most basic, Command Palette is much like Spotlight Search, or what you get when you press the Windows key to open the Start Menu and just start typing. However, if you take the time to learn a bit more about the extensions, you’ll quickly find it is much more flexible. Each option listed on the main Command Palette screen is its own function. For example, if you wanted to search for files, you’d first type File followed by a space, then you're exclusively be searching for files.

You can get the best of Apple on your Windows machine — here are 5 easy-to-install tools to make it happen. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Windows is currently the most popular operating system in the world, taking about 70% of the market. But despite its popularity, it’s still lacking some features that Apple has already perfected on macOS. Many would recommend ditching your Windows PC for a Mac or MacBook if you want to get these functionalities, but that’s often easier said than done.

After all, MacBooks are often very expensive compared to their Microsoft counterparts, with hardware upgrades often costing 10x more. At any time when I take advantage of a Mac, I am at all times delighted by its glorious Spotlight Search characteristic. Accessible by way of an icon within the Menu Bar or the CMD + Spacebar keyboard shortcut, Highlight is effortlessly snappy, clear and minimalistic, and usually spot on with its search outcomes. Highlight has been capable of floor outcomes for almost each inquiry I’ve ever thrown at it, with choices to simply preview or to take actions on recordsdata and paperwork. On the opposite facet of the spectrum is Home windows Search — Microsoft’s native search instrument inside its flagship desktop working system.

In my expertise, search is an disagreeable expertise on Windows 11 . Its fundamental interface is visually cluttered, and it depends on gradual web-based interface tech that does not observe Microsoft’s personal design language pointers. The search pane frequently stutters, it appears to at all times prioritize net outcomes over my native media, and it generally fails to register the primary letter I kind out when initiating a search... Microsoft has been onerous at work enhancing the backend of Home windows Search, by introducing synthetic intelligence-based semantic indexing into the combo on appropriate If there's one message Amazon's new Kindle Scribes send, it's that the company finally understands that people use its larger e-reader for more than just reading.

The idea that people might want to use the Scribe for work is all over the new elements of Amazon's new lineup. Alongside redesigning the display architecture and introducing color E Ink, the company has also made big changes to the Scribe's software that suggest a legitimate new direction for the tablet. Before I get started, it's important to clear up a persistent misconception about smartphones: the notion that background apps can consume too much memory and processor power, just as they can on a Mac... While it's true that some phone apps are more demanding than others, Apple and Google are well aware of this, and have designed iOS and Android to manage background apps automatically. There's no need to close all the unused items in your app switcher -- they're being paused or closed as needed. In fact you could actually make things worse by doing this, forcing paused apps to reload from scratch, and interrupting essential tasks like fetching email.

One thing we didn't see at Apple's September 9 event was a new iPad. That made sense to a degree, since there was enough to talk about with new Apple Watches and the iPhone 17 lineup, particularly the iPhone Air. At the same time, the radio silence felt a bit odd, since the company has made a splash with fall iPad announcements in the past. However, not to fear -- Apple finally dropped the hammer earlier this month by announcing a new M5 iPad Pro, which definitely has more than a few tempting upgrades. CDC data reveal alcohol kills 178,000 Americans a year—nearly double the toll of opioid overdoses. AI was utilized for research, writing, citation management, and editing.

The author has no affiliation with any companies mentioned. Sudden Drug Cessation Has Killed Patients — Will You Be Next?. You might imagine stopping a medicine "just for a few days" is harmless. But documented cases show that abruptly halting certain prescriptions—especially those that regulate your heart, hormones, or brain—has led to death, adrenal collapse, and fatal heart events. Are you tired of slow Windows 11 search? Check out these alternatives to the default Windows Search experience.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Windows 11 includes a search feature that should be enough for most users, but it often struggles with speed, particularly in non-indexed locations or when handling a large number of files. The search home also feels cluttered with advertisements and lacks polish, which is surprising given it comes from the world's largest software company. If you want something faster, lighter, or more customizable, several third-party tools can deliver a significantly better search experience. Popular options include Command Palette from PowerToys, Fluent Search, Everything, Listary, Flow Launcher, and RayCast.

In this guide, I'll highlight six tools you can use to replace the Search functionality on Windows 11.

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