Although Windows has always had a file browser, in none of the versions of the operating system has it been given as much importance as in Windows 10. The Windows 10 search function is anchored by default in the operating system’s taskbar and It allows us both to find installed programs such as files, photos, documents, emails and even information on the web, thanks to Bing. Since the launch of this operating system, the search engine has been evolving and changing, receiving improvements and eliminating unnecessary features. So it has changed.
How the Windows 10 search engine has changed
Originally, the Windows 10 search engine was integrated with Cortana , something that, at first, put many users back. However, in the newer versions of the operating system (specifically with the May 2019 Update) this integration has been divided , and luckily they are now two completely independent applications. This allows us to always have the search engine at hand, since it is a very useful tool, without having to use Cortana.
In addition to separating the search engine from Cortana, Microsoft has introduced a feature known as ” Enhanced Indexing “. This allows us to configure how we want the search engine to index our files, pausing the indexing process when we are using the PC, or when we pull the battery, to prevent the PC from going slower than normal and wasting battery unnecessarily. The 2020 versions of Windows 10 especially improve this indexing, and make it smart.
Another change that has arrived recently is the ability to search Bing from a screenshot . This feature is already available since last week for most users. If we still do not have it in the lower right corner of the search window we will have to wait more.
Upcoming news for Windows Search
Microsoft continues to improve this search engine. Therefore, every so often we can see some changes and some improvements. Some of these news reach only Insider users, while others, being backend changes, automatically reach all users, regardless of the version of Windows they use.
One of the next changes that we are going to see in this search engine is the dark theme . Until now, when activating the Windows dark theme, the main screen of the search tool adapted to this theme, but the results did not, loading these with a white background that stands out against any dark settings. This is going to change very soon. And, as has been seen, very soon we will be able to enjoy a dark theme also in the search results. And also Fluent Design!
In addition, Windows Search also has a new responsive design . This will allow the search engine window to automatically adapt to the different screens that we use to be able to see all the information at a glance without having to scroll. In addition, we will be able to adjust the size of it ourselves.
Finally, it indicates that Microsoft is already working to eliminate the “fast searches” function that appears in the main box. In return, the company will add a new frame with the ” Bing picture of the day “. So every day we can see a new photo in the search window, and if we click on it we can know where it has been taken.