Microsoft recently celebrated its 50th anniversary by unveiling exciting new features for Copilot on Windows 11. These enhancements, now available for testing within the Windows Insider program, include Copilot File Search and Copilot Vision, both designed to boost productivity and streamline workflows. Copilot File Search revolutionizes how you interact with your files. Instead of just locating documents, it allows you to ask questions about their content directly within the Copilot app. Imagine saying, "Look at my budget file and tell me how much I spent on dining last month." This feature supports a wide range of file types, including .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .pdf, and .json, making it a versatile tool for managing your digital life. You can adjust permissions for Copilot's access in the Copilot Settings under Permission settings, ensuring your data remains secure. Examples of how you can use Copilot File Search include asking it to "Find my resume," "Open the trip planning doc I was working on last week," or, as mentioned earlier, querying your budget for specific expenses. This functionality goes beyond simple file retrieval, offering intelligent insights into your documents. Copilot Vision takes AI assistance a step further by providing information about content within your browser window or any other application. By sharing a window with Copilot, you enable it to analyze the content and answer your questions, essentially coaching you through your tasks. To start, click the glasses icon in your composer, select the window you want to share, and ask Copilot for help. To stop sharing, simply press ‘Stop’ or ‘X’ in the composer. These features are currently rolling out to Windows Insiders across all channels via the Microsoft Store. While Copilot File Search is available worldwide, Copilot Vision is initially limited to users in the United States. Keep in mind that the rollout is gradual, so access may not be immediate for all users. The introduction of Copilot File Search and Copilot Vision underscores Microsoft's commitment to integrating AI seamlessly into the Windows 11 experience. By providing intelligent assistance with file management and real-time content analysis, these features promise to enhance productivity and empower users to accomplish more with their devices.
