Windows Search Now Accurately Finds Apps and Files

With the release of Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8687 on June 12, 2026, Microsoft has introduced a highly anticipated improvement to Windows Search. The updated search functionality now accurately identifies apps even when users make typos, drop letters, add extra characters, or provide only partial words. For instance, typing "utlook" will now display Outlook. Additionally, the Settings search has undergone ranking enhancements, prioritizing more relevant results at the top of the list.

Fixing a Long-Standing Issue with Windows Search

Windows Search has struggled with inconsistency for years, often frustrating users. Previously, a single dropped letter in an app name would result in no local matches, while Bing-powered web results with spell corrections would dominate the top of the list. This misalignment became a major source of user dissatisfaction. Responding to one of the most-requested changes, Microsoft has now addressed this issue in the latest Insider build.

These updates are part of a broader set of Search improvements rolled out by Microsoft over recent months, some of which are already available to all Windows 11 users via the June 2026 update.

Enhanced App Search with Typo Forgiveness

The new Build 26300.8687 focuses on improving the accuracy of Windows Search for apps. It now accounts for typos, dropped letters, extra characters, and partial words. Previously, spell-checking was only applied to web queries powered by Bing, which caused mistyped app names to yield corrected web results but fail to locate the actual app. Now, the same spell tolerance is applied locally to installed apps.

Testing the build confirms these enhancements. For example:

• Typing "pwerp" immediately shows PowerPoint as the Best Match, along with options like Open, Run as Administrator, and Pin to Taskbar.
• Typing "tskm," which includes both dropped and extra letters, correctly displays Task Manager as the Best Match.

These scenarios demonstrate the significant leap in the accuracy of Windows Search for locally installed apps.

Improved Settings Search Ranking

Microsoft has also improved the ranking logic for Settings search. Previously, searching for a specific setting often displayed loosely related results at the top. With this update, the most relevant settings now reliably appear first, ensuring a more intuitive experience.

Better Local File Search

The updates extend to local file search functionality as well. In earlier builds, searching for a file like "Severance-S2E5" might display irrelevant web results instead of the local file stored on the device. In the Insider build, however, the file is prioritized as the Best Match, complete with its location and last modified date. Web suggestions are still available but are moved below the local file result.

March Rogers, Microsoft’s Partner Director of Design for Windows, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that local files are now prioritized in Search. Additionally, web suggestions can be turned off entirely, offering users more control.

Turning Off Web Results in Windows Search

Another major improvement in testing is the ability to disable web results in Windows Search. Users have long complained about Bing results cluttering the interface when searching for local content. Microsoft is now testing a setting that allows users to limit Search to local files and apps, excluding Bing results and Microsoft Store listings.

Currently, disabling Bing requires registry edits—a step too technical for most users. The new toggle, once implemented, will make this functionality more accessible. Responding to user feedback, March Rogers stated, "Local files are prioritized in the new search updates. Also, if you want, you can turn off web suggestions entirely."

This toggle is still under testing and has not yet been rolled out to stable builds. However, Microsoft has indicated that it will soon become available to testers.

Search Improvements Already Live in the June 2026 Update

While typo forgiveness and the Bing toggle remain in testing, some Search enhancements have already been deployed through the June 2026 Patch Tuesday update (KB5094126). Notable improvements include:

• Search results now appear after typing just two characters instead of three, making it easier to locate files or folders with short names.
• Search by Substring: This feature, still in Insider builds, allows users to find files using any segment of a filename. For example, a file named "ProjectBrief_June2026.docx" can now be found by searching "June2026" without needing to type the beginning of the filename.

These changes demonstrate Microsoft's commitment to refining Search functionality. Together with the upcoming typo forgiveness and the ability to disable Bing results, Windows Search is seeing its most significant progress in years.

Next Steps for Windows Search

Despite these improvements, there is still room for optimization, particularly in terms of simplifying the Search UI, which remains cluttered. A cleaner and lighter interface would further enhance the user experience.

Overall, Microsoft's recent efforts show a renewed focus on addressing user concerns and delivering meaningful updates to Windows Search.