How to search local files using Copilot app on Windows 11

• Copilot on Windows 11 now includes file search, which lets you find and open files and images using natural language queries.
• To enable it, open the Copilot app, go to Settings, and turn on “File search” and “File read.”
• Once enabled, you can ask Copilot to show or open specific files, such as recent Word documents or images, across supported formats like PDF, DOCX, and PNG.

Microsoft has added file search to the Copilot app on Windows 11, allowing you to find and open documents and images using AI. Instead of typing exact filenames, you can use natural language queries like “Show me the Excel sheet from this week.”

What’s file search on Copilot?

File search in Copilot works like Windows Search but with AI. You can use natural language to ask questions about file contents and search across supported formats (.docx, .pdf, .png, .xlsx, .txt, and more).

The feature is currently available through the Windows Insider Program, starting with Copilot app version 1.25082.132.0 or higher. Also, Microsoft is rolling out the feature gradually, so it may not appear for all users immediately.

In addition to file and image search, Microsoft recently released Copilot Vision, a new feature for Windows 11 users that allows sharing the screen with Copilot to get assistance with virtually anything.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to find files using the Copilot app on Windows 11.

Find your files and images with Copilot on Windows 11

To find files using the Copilot app on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open the Copilot app.

2. Click the profile menu and choose the Settings option.

   

3. Turn on the “File search” toggle switch to enable the Copilot search feature to scan your computer for files.

   

4. Turn on the “File read” toggle switch to allow Copilot to access the contents of your files.

5. Turn on or off the “Show recent files on home” toggle switch to allow or prevent Copilot from surfacing your recent files in the home page.

6. Click the Home button in the top-left to exit the settings.

7. Compose a file search query, such as “Show me the Word document files we worked on this week,” and press Enter or the Submit button.

8. Click the file to open it with the corresponding app.

   

Once you complete the steps, Copilot will be able to show results about files stored on your computer.

Currently, the search feature supports most file types, including .png, .jpeg, .svg, .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .csv, .json, and .txt.

Copilot’s new home page

Microsoft is also experimenting with a new home page that surfaces your recent files, apps, and conversations.

If you launch the app from the “Get guided help with your apps” section, Copilot will start the app with the Vision feature to help you use the application.

The home page also includes a background image, but the app doesn’t currently offer an option to change it or a setting to disable the new home view.

According to the company, Copilot surfaces recent files using the standard “Recent” folder in the operating system, as the app doesn’t scan the entire system, and only supported formats will appear in the list.

Also, the chatchot won’t process anything unless you attach and send the file to it, in which case, you’ll be giving permission to process it.

Do you plan to use Copilot to search files on Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.