Windows Search, long a source of frustration, is getting a significant overhaul, with a focus on speed and capability. Anshul Rawat, corporate vice president of the Windows product team at Microsoft, says the new experience is built for speed and is part of a broader investment in modernizing Windows experiences.

Early tests have shown substantial improvements in performance and memory usage, with a cleaner, more modern user interface. The revamped search can now surface results inline, much like on iOS and Android, and can even take actions like turning on Bluetooth or dark mode.

The most impressive feature is the ability to use Windows Search like a launcher, performing tasks directly from the search bar. Users can ask it to minimize windows or open apps side-by-side, and even send messages from their phone if they use Phone Link.

The new Windows Search is currently being tested with Windows Insiders and is set to appear in Windows 11 in the coming months. Microsoft is already working on bringing this experience to the Start menu and adapting it to different taskbar positions and Windows configurations.