Search hasn’t changed much from the later versions of Windows 10, but if you are used to using an older version where search and Cortana were integrated, the search feature of Windows 11 may seem very different. The most obvious change is, of course, where the search field now lives: not in the Taskbar, but within its own search panel.
In This Lesson…
- How to Search for… Anything!
- Quick Searches and Recent Searches
- Top Apps in Search
- Search Indexing Options
- Additional Search Settings
How to Search for… Anything!
Click the search icon in the Taskbar to open the search panel. You can also open the search panel using the keyboard shortcut: Windows Key + S.
1 – At the top of the search panel is the all-important search field. This single field lets you search for anything on (and off) your computer, from apps and documents to emails and photos. As you begin typing in the search field, the search panel will change, with potential matches shown on the left and further options for those matches on the right.
2 – The results are split into sections, making it easy to decide which of them is the correct result for you. Not every single thing on your computer that matches your search query will be shown in these “best matches”. In that case, you can refine your search by selecting one of the category tabs just below the search bar. The results will then only be apps or only be documents, for example, that match.
3 – You can click on a result to go directly to that app or setting or document, or you can click on the arrow next to the search result to see further options. These may simply be a link to open the file, but can also include options such as “Run as Administrator”, “Open File Location” or “uninstall”.
4 – If you have chosen to search the web, clicking the arrow next to a potential result will show a list of web pages that match your search query, very much like a search results page you see in a browser.
Quick Searches and Recent Searches
As you use your computer more, performing searches and opening apps, the two sections at the bottom of the Search panel will fill up. As the name suggests, the Recent column shows your most recent completed searches. Entries are only included here if you search and then click on something.
The Quick Search suggestions are, to some degree, controlled by what Microsoft thinks you might want to search for regularly. But I have been using Windows 11 long enough now to notice that these do change and have become more relevant to me the more I use my computer.
Top Apps in Search
A useful feature of the Search panel is the Top apps list that appears before you start actually searching for anything. This is quite random when you first start using Windows 11, but as you use your computer more, Windows will learn which apps you use most, and these will be pinned here. It isn’t life-changing, but yet another small and useful feature that can make navigating around the new OS easier.
Search Indexing Options
The default indexing setting in Windows 11 is Classic mode. This will only index, and therefore only allow searches in, certain folders. These include Documents, Pictures, Music and the Desktop. If you want a more powerful search experience, you can change this to Enhanced mode, which will index and allow searching in your entire PC.
You can change this setting in Settings > Privacy & Security > Searching Windows. Be aware that if you are using a laptop, the power usage and CPU usage can be increased by choosing Enhanced mode.
Certain system folders will be excluded from even Enhanced mode, and this is for good reason. Accidentally editing or deleting some of these files in these folders could cause problems for Windows, for your PC and for you. It is better if they don’t appear in search results and therefore are less likely to accidentally be wiped or edited. You can see a full list of the excluded folders in the Search Windows settings mentioned above.
Additional Search Settings
There are several additional settings for search, to allow you fine control over what is searched and the results you will be shown. You can find these in Settings > Privacy & Security > Search Permissions.
Safe Search controls whether adult material is shown as previews in Windows Search. There are three settings: Strict (filters out all adult text, images and videos from results), Moderate (filters adult images and video), and Off (no adult content is filtered). Set Safe Search to the level that you find appropriate.
The Cloud Content Search settings allow you to choose if Windows Search can index files from your cloud services such as OneDrive, Outlook and SharePoint.
Search History can be turned off for added privacy, or enabled to improve search suggestions. Your search history is stored locally, meaning it is only on the device you are using. You can clear your search history at any time by clicking the button in the Search Permissions settings.
Windows Tip – Searching in Settings
You can use the main Windows Search tool to find a system setting you need, but a better way to search for settings is to use the search field in the Settings app. This will display ONLY settings results. You can, of course, use the “Settings” filter in the search tool as well, but by searching in the settings app, you remove one step in the search process.