Microsoft is finally making Windows 11 search better

Windows 11 logo on a blue, folded backdrop
(Image credit: Microsoft)

This week’s Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22572 brings plenty of quality of life fixes to the Dev Channel, all of which are detailed on the official Windows blog.

These upcoming features were spotted by Windows Central and the most prominent  is Microsoft Family and Clipchamp both becoming inbox apps, meaning they’ll be pre-loaded on Windows 11 machines moving forward. The former allows users to set a wide variety of parental controls, as well as digital activity reporting and parental controls. The latter is a video editing program that’s been streamlined for more intuitive use.

Also in the new update is a much-needed improvement to Windows 11 search. A new feature called ‘search highlights’ will be rolling out to the Insider’s program. It’ll be located in the taskbar and will allow you to see “what’s trending online, in the world, and in your organization”. Maybe this will justify Microsoft requiring everyone to be online when they install Windows 11.

The update won’t be available to all Insiders at first, but should roll out soon – Microsoft is just waiting for user feedback before launching a wider distribution. There will be other changes to features such as Print Queue, Quick Assist, and plenty of other bug fixes and QOL improvements.

It’s not clear when these updates will be making their way to users that aren’t in the Microsoft Insider program, but it’ll likely be in the next major seasonal Windows 11 update, 22H2, which is shaping up to be an important one. 

Allisa James
Computing Staff Writer

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.

Read more
A laptop with the Windows 11 desktop on screen, glowing, while on a work desk
Microsoft changes Windows 11’s Start menu for the better (gasp) while introducing nifty new file sharing options
Frustrated unhappy laptop user girl touching head at work table with computer
Windows 11’s Start menu recommendations are being improved – but I’m still not impressed, Microsoft
Woman gaming on a computer at home
Windows 11’s Start menu search gets new, clearer labels, as Microsoft tries to avoid EU regulation trouble
A person presenting in front of the Insta360 Link webcam
Microsoft’s mission to improve Windows 11 actually pays off with improved webcam tools
Windows 10 Fail
I have good news and bad news about Windows 11 24H2’s new update: it introduces nifty features and fixes... but also includes another ad
A woman sitting in a chair looking at a Windows 11 laptop
Windows 11’s screenshot tool is getting a nifty new time-saving ability
Latest in Windows
Microsoft Store logo on a blurred background
There's finally a fix for an annoying Microsoft Store bug that's older than Windows 11
Portrait of African-American teenage boy studying at home or in college dorm and using laptop, copy space
Windows 11’s Notepad gets AI-powered ‘Rewrite’ feature, but not everyone’s going to be happy about it
Copilot on a laptop
Microsoft quietly updates Copilot to cut down on unauthorized Windows activations
Windows fail
It looks like Microsoft might have broken Windows 11 24H2 again as performance plummets with Intel's latest CPUs
Windows 11 update with Task Manager menu
Microsoft is fixing Windows 11 Task Manager’s quirky reporting of CPU usage, and a much-wanted change for the lock screen is coming, too
Young woman using laptop, looking annoyed
Microsoft’s latest bit of nagging in Windows 11 might come from a good place, but it’s seriously annoying some people
Latest in News
Apple MacBook Air M3
The M3 MacBook Air is officially discontinued, but the M2 MacBook Air will live on elsewhere and that's good news
Stock photographs of people smiling and looking at laptops in a small business environment.
This web hosting platform elevates your online presence
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display at Galaxy Unpacked
Exclusive: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will have durability to match its ‘sexy’ form
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Sega was Metacritic's highest-rated publisher of 2024 thanks to the critically acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
AirPods Pro Review
Apple has quietly updated its guidance on how to clean your AirPods, and suggests you buy a kit… from Belkin
China
Chinese hackers who targeted key US infrastructure charged by Justice Department