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How To Use Semantic Search In Windows 11 The Windows Club

Bonisiwe Shabane
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how to use semantic search in windows 11 the windows club

If you want to improve the way Windows Search works on your computer, we recommend you use Semantic Search. It is a new feature introduced in Windows 11, allowing Windows to leverage AI to search through File Explorer, Taskbar, and Start menu. Semantic Indexing improves the way your computer organizes and searches files. AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) enables the system to grasp the intent and meaning of your queries. This makes it easier to locate files, settings, and other information using everyday conversational language. Semantic Search in Windows 11 relies on AI and machine learning to deliver accurate results by analyzing the structure and meaning of queries, rather than performing basic keyword searches.

For instance, if you search for “mouse,” a regular search engine might show results about the computer accessory and the animal indiscriminately. However, Semantic Search understands context, such as your files and history, to determine that you’re likely referring to the computer device, tailoring results accordingly. If you want to use Semantic Search in Windows 11, follow these steps. If you do not see the feature in your Windows, please wait for it to be rolled out to your PC. Windows 11 has introduced Semantic Search, a powerful AI-driven feature that understands natural language queries, making file and content retrieval faster and more intuitive. Unlike traditional keyword-based searches, Semantic Search interprets context, allowing you to find files using phrases like “documents from last week” or “summer vacation photos.”

This guide will walk you through enabling and using Semantic Search on Windows 11, along with additional AI-powered features available on Copilot+ PCs. Microsoft rolls out Semantic Search via optional or preview builds. For Semantic Search to work optimally, ensure enhanced indexing is active: Once enabled, you can use natural language queries in: Windows Search is now enhanced with AI, and here's what you need to know. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Here’s how it works. On Windows 11, Semantic Indexing is an AI feature that integrates Natural Language Processing (NLP) to enhance traditional keyword-based search. This feature doesn't replace the Windows Search experience. Instead, it complements it, allowing you to retrieve files, settings, and other content using conversational language, making the search process more intuitive and efficient. Semantic Indexing uses AI models to understand the context and intent behind search queries. Unlike traditional search methods that rely on exact keywords, this feature interprets the meaning of queries, enabling you to find content even when you don't remember exact file names or specific keywords.

For instance, searching for "photos from last summer" or "change my theme" produces relevant results based on the query's context. These are the most significant details you need to know about Semantic Indexing on Windows 11. Windows 11 Semantic Search, also called Windows 11 Intelligent Search, is a smarter way to find files, photos, and settings using everyday phrases. Imagine typing “photos from my summer trip” or “change my theme” into your Windows 11 PC and instantly finding what you need. That’s what Windows 11 Semantic Search does. Launched in April 2025, this AI-powered Windows Search feature makes searching for files, photos, and settings easier by understanding what you mean, not just the exact words you use.

It’s built for Copilot+ PCs and works right on your device for speed and privacy. In this article, we’ll explain what semantic search is, how Windows Semantic Search works, and how to use semantic search to make your Windows 11 experience smoother. Semantic Search, or Microsoft Windows 11 Intelligent Search, is a smart way to search in Windows 11. Instead of needing exact file names or keywords, it figures out what you’re looking for based on the meaning of your words. For example, if you type “family vacation photos” in File Explorer, it can find images or documents from that trip, even if they’re not labeled “vacation.” Similarly, searching “uninstall a program” in Settings takes... This Contextual Search is available on Copilot+ PCs, which have special AI chips called Neural Processing Units (NPUs).

It works in File Explorer, the Start menu, and Settings, and supports six languages: English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. It can handle common file types like Word documents (.docx), PDFs (.pdf), images (.jpg, .png, .gif), and more. It uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning to understand your searches. It creates a local index of your files, photos, and settings, analyzing their content and context. This Smart Windows Search lets you use everyday phrases, like “bridge at sunset” for photos or “budget for my trip” for spreadsheets. The search happens on your Copilot+ PC’s NPU, so your data stays private and doesn’t go to Microsoft’s servers.

Discover how Windows 11's new AI-powered semantic search works, its requirements, availability, and how to use it effectively. Windows 11 introduces a new way to find files, photos, and settings by using AI-driven semantic search, which understands natural language queries instead of relying on exact keywords or file names. This search capability allows you to describe what you are looking for, and Windows will locate relevant content based on the meaning behind your query, streamlining your workflow and saving time. Semantic search in Windows 11 leverages artificial intelligence and natural language processing to interpret the intent of your search queries. Unlike traditional keyword-based search, semantic search lets you use descriptive phrases to find documents, images, or system settings without needing to remember exact file names or keywords. For example, you can search for “photos of last summer picnic” or “change my theme” in the Settings app, and Windows will return relevant results based on the context and meaning of your input.

This feature uses a local AI model called Phi Silica, optimized for on-device processing. It employs a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) present in specific Windows 11 devices to perform semantic indexing of files and settings. The AI model analyzes document contents, metadata, and relationships between files to deliver more accurate and context-aware search results. Tecnobits - Learning - What is Semantic Search and how to activate it in Windows 11 You may have heard of the term Semantic Search in the field of operating systems and you are not sure what it is exactly. Well, if so, you have come to the right place.

In this article we will try to explain What is Semantic Search and how to activate it in Windows 11. This new functionality offers the user a more powerful and, above all, more efficient search experience. This makes it possible to obtain more precise results that are tailored to the context of the search itself. Below are all the details of this magnificent function. What sets Semantic Search apart from other search systems is the way users can perform their queries, using natural language and accessing information more intuitively. <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1185433 aligncenter" src="https://tecnobits.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/windowssemanticindexingcover.webp" alt="búsqueda semántica en Windows 11" width="1200" height="630" srcset="https://tecnobits.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/windowssemanticindexingcover.webp 1200w, https://tecnobits.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/windowssemanticindexingcover-300x158.webp 300w, https://tecnobits.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/windowssemanticindexingcover-1024x538.webp 1024w, https://tecnobits.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/windowssemanticindexingcover-768x403.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />

Windows 11 now implements AI to improve search across the system. Windows 11 now uses Semantic Indexing to improve the Windows Search feature across the File Explorer, Taskbar, and Start menu using AI. In this guide, I’ll answer everything you need to know about this feature. Semantic Indexing is a technique that enhances how your computer’s files are indexed and searched. By leveraging AI, particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP), Semantic Indexing allows the operating system to understand and interpret the meaning behind your queries. This lets you find files, settings, and other content using natural, conversational language.

For example, using this feature, you can create a search query on File Explorer that describes the file instead of providing keywords that are part of the tile, metadata, or content of the file. In the Settings app, you can search “change my theme” to find and open the relevant setting instead of having to know the name of the setting. Among other smart AI features Microsoft revealed to be coming soon back in October, Semantic search was the most intriguing. The Redmond giant says it makes it easier for users to search for files, settings, and apps. But the exact timeline of its release was still unknown, until today. After a long wait, Semantic search is finally rolling out to Windows.

In a blog post, Microsoft has announced that Local Semantic Search and Cloud Search are rolling out to Windows 11 Insiders Beta channel, in the Preview Build 26120.3585 (KB5053644). Local Semantic Search understands the context and lets users search for documents and images by just typing the related words. For example, you could type “landscape greenery” and the feature will pull up all the landscape images containing greenery. This should make searching a bit less taxing on Windows users and also save time. Similarly, you can contextually search in the Settings app. This will pull up a relevant suggestion for the phrase you type.

Searching the phrase “Change my theme” will suggest “Themes and related settings,” “Screen saver,” etc. Semantic Search has also been integrated into the cloud, meaning you could search with the same phrases, and if you have OneDrive enabled, the search will pull up all the matching files. In many ways, this has a lot in common with the Settings Search feature on the new Galaxy S25 series (review) which uses Galaxy AI to decipher natural language from your input and helps... Unfortunately, Semantic Search is exclusive to Copilot+ PCs. It supports Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish and supports file TXT, PDF, DOCX, DOC, RTF, PPTX, PPT, XLS, XLSX, JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and ICO file formats. Imagine typing “photos from my summer trip” or “change my theme” into your Windows 11 PC and instantly finding what you need.

That’s what Windows 11 Semantic Search does. Launched in April 2025, this AI-powered Windows Search feature makes searching for files, photos, and settings easier by understanding what you mean, not just the exact words you use. It’s built for Copilot+ PCs and works right on your device for speed and privacy. In this article, we’ll explain what semantic search is, how Windows Semantic Search works, and how to use semantic search to make your Windows 11 experience smoother. Semantic Search, or Microsoft Windows 11 Intelligent Search, is a smart way to search in Windows 11. Instead of needing exact file names or keywords, it figures out what you’re looking for based on the meaning of your words.

For example, if you type “family vacation photos” in File Explorer, it can find images or documents from that trip, even if they’re not labeled “vacation.” Similarly, searching “uninstall a program” in Settings takes... This Contextual Search is available on Copilot+ PCs, which have special AI chips called Neural Processing Units (NPUs). It works in File Explorer, the Start menu, and Settings, and supports six languages: English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. It can handle common file types like Word documents (.docx), PDFs (.pdf), images (.jpg, .png, .gif), and more. It uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning to understand your searches. It creates a local index of your files, photos, and settings, analyzing their content and context.

This Smart Windows Search lets you use everyday phrases, like “bridge at sunset” for photos or “budget for my trip” for spreadsheets. The search happens on your Copilot+ PC’s NPU, so your data stays private and doesn’t go to Microsoft’s servers. It also connects with OneDrive, so you can search cloud-stored files and photos alongside local ones if you’re signed into a personal Microsoft account. For example, typing “summer picnic” in the Windows Search bar might show both local images and OneDrive photos, even if they don’t have “picnic” in their names. This makes Natural Language Windows Search quick and convenient.

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