14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is working on a major update for the search feature in File Explorer, with the latest preview build of Windows 10 April 2020 Update (20H1) providing us with an early glimpse into how the whole thing is going to work.
Basically, the File Explorer search will be powered by Windows Search and will include files stored in OneDrive.
The new feature will be rolled out gradually to Windows 10 users enrolled in the Windows Insider program, and if everything is going according to the plan, it should go live for everyone in the upcoming OS feature updates.
“Over the next few days we’ll be starting to roll out a new File Explorer search experience – now powered by Windows Search. This change will help integrate your OneDrive content online with the traditional indexed results. This rollout will start with a small percent, and then we’ll increase the rollout to more Insiders as we validate the quality of the experience,” Dona Sarkar, head of the Windows Insider program, explains.
Fast search in File Explorer
The main benefit of this new implementation is that search results will be populated with suggested files as you type, so the whole experience is much faster.
Whenever you click the search box, you should be provided with a history of your searches. Clicking any of the file shown in the suggestions list lets you open it instantly, while right-clicking the file offers you more options, such as opening the file location.
“If you need to use commands or dig deeper into non-indexed locations, you can still press enter and populate the view with the traditional search results,” Microsoft explains.
Users are also allowed to change the dimensions of the search box with just a drag and drop, and Microsoft says that by default it’s wider to be able to display search results and suggestions.
You can try out the new search experience by installing Windows 10 preview build 18894 in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider program.