Microsoft is testing a Windows 11 Search that lets you change settings and text from your phone right in the results. It is not yet for everyone.
Microsoft is testing a version of Windows 11 Search that does tasks instead of just pointing to them. You can type a request and adjust volume, screen brightness or cursor size with a slider right in the results. It was announced October 30 in test builds, so most people cannot use it yet.
Until now, Search often showed a link, and you still had to open Settings and dig around. The new version puts the control in the results panel. Microsoft says this cuts the usual trip through Windows Settings.
Search results are also richer. Windows can show a preview of a file, along with its last modified date, location and author. It can pull web answers for weather, stocks and general facts. It can also list apps and games from the Microsoft Store.
If you connect a phone through Microsoft's Phone Link app, Search can place calls and send text messages. It can also reach phone actions such as Do Not Disturb. Android phones work now. iPhone support is expected early next year.
Store app results are optional. To turn them off, go to Settings, then Privacy & security, then Search.
Businesses get a new Intune policy, which is a company-level setting. When it is on, feedback sent through Feedback Hub stays private. It cannot be posted to the public community or shared outside the organization's tenant, meaning its own account space with Microsoft. Microsoft and people inside that organization can still see it.
The features are arriving in several Insider builds, which are early test versions for volunteers. They include Beta Build 26220.9836 and Experimental Build 26340.9843, plus separate builds for 26H1 and Future Platforms. That means this is still testing, not a confirmed rollout for every Windows 11 user.
Whether Search becomes a handy control center or stays a nice idea depends on how consistently it works day to day. That remains to be seen.
Windows 11 Search may soon adjust settings and text from your phone, but it is still in testing, and you can turn off Store results under Privacy & security.
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