14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is currently experimenting with a new search interface for Windows 10 that could make the feature look and feel more like Spotlight, the search tool integrated into Apple’s macOS.
Aggiornamenti Lumia revealed that the new interface is already available in Windows 10 build 17040 released to the Fast ring of the Windows Insider program last week, and it’s expected to be part of the final Redstone 4 release in early 2018 as well.
As you can see for yourselves in the screenshot on the right and the video below, the new search UI kicks in when typing either in the Cortana search bar or in the Start menu, with a floating search bar also available for quick searching. The Italian site says the same feature can be invoked by simply pressing the Windows key + S, which is also being used to launch the search feature on Windows 10 already.
How the new UI works
Once you type a keyword and perform a search, the new UI groups results in several categories similar to how Apple’s Spotlight works on macOS. You can see all results, the ones on the web, only documents, and apply a series of filters, all in a dedicated window that makes it easier to find the information you’ve been looking for. Dictation is also available should you want to search by voice.
Filters include Windows 10 data like apps, documents, folder, music, photos, settings, and videos, so Microsoft wants to make the search feature as powerful as possible in Windows 10.
Even though the new UI currently replaces Cortana in the existing preview build, there’s a good chance the updated search will be available for all Windows 10 devices even when the personal assistant is disabled.
The Windows 10 Redstone 4 is projected to launch in the spring of 2018, so expect more changes to be made in the coming builds before the public debut.
