According to TheRegister.com, Microsoft is testing a significant Windows 11 change that replaces the traditional search box with “Ask Copilot anything” in the latest Insider Dev and Beta builds starting from version 26220.7051. The feature is off by default and requires users to jump through multiple hoops including joining the Windows Insider Program and using third-party tool ViveTool to enable it. When activated, the search box displays “Ask Copilot anything” with glasses and microphone icons, mixing traditional file/app searches with AI prompts. The Copilot box spawns floating results in the middle of the screen rather than integrating with the existing search interface. Testing revealed inconsistencies where regular search found files like “winver” that Copilot search missed, and Copilot Vision incorrectly counted desktop icons. Even with this enabled, searching from the Start menu still provides the traditional search experience.
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Microsoft‘s relentless AI push
Here’s the thing – this isn’t surprising at all. Microsoft has been cramming Copilot into every corner of Windows for months now. They’re clearly betting the farm on AI being the next big thing in computing interfaces. But does replacing a perfectly functional search system with an AI chatbot actually improve the user experience? The testing suggests not really.
Basically, what Microsoft is doing here feels like they’re trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. The traditional Windows search works fine for finding files, apps, and settings. Now they’re adding an extra layer that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. When you search for something simple like “Chrome,” you get normal results. But search for system files and Copilot might completely miss them. That’s not progress – that’s creating confusion.
The bigger AI battle
This move puts Microsoft squarely against Google’s AI ambitions and Apple’s upcoming AI features. Everyone’s racing to own the AI assistant space, and Microsoft wants Copilot to be the default way people interact with their computers. The problem is, they’re forcing it rather than letting users choose.
And let’s talk about that floating results window. If you’re someone who keeps your taskbar on the left like in older Windows versions, having search results pop up in the middle of your screen is genuinely disruptive. It breaks workflow and feels like Microsoft prioritized their AI showcase over actual usability. They’re so focused on being first to market with AI integration that they’re forgetting what makes a good user interface.
Why this worries me
Look, I get that AI is the future. But the way Microsoft is implementing this feels rushed and potentially problematic. The fact that you need third-party tools just to enable a feature they’re testing tells you something. They’re not confident enough to roll this out properly yet.
The Register’s testing showed Copilot Vision getting basic things wrong – like counting desktop icons. If it can’t handle simple visual analysis tasks accurately, why should we trust it with more important searches? And having voice activation on by default? That’s just asking for privacy concerns and accidental activations.
Microsoft seems determined to make Copilot unavoidable, whether users want it or not. I genuinely hope they keep this as an optional feature rather than forcing it on everyone. Because right now, it feels like a solution in search of a problem rather than a genuine improvement to Windows.
