Improved search in OneDrive: 2 exciting new features

The improved search will be released in a limited preview this month.

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Key notes

  • You'll be able to find your files by typing words and names of people associated with them.
  • The improved search uses AI capabilities to recognize natural language.
  • A public preview of the improved search is coming in early 2024.
onedrive improved search

Microsoft OneDrive Event has unveiled some new features coming to OneDrive, including a brand new design, which greatly improves the experience of managing and sharing files, and Copilot coming to OneDrive, as well, effectively bringing AI into the picture.

The brand-new design plus the AI promise a new era for OneDrive, and Microsoft doesn’t stop here. The Redmond-based tech giant is bringing a new improved search to the platform.

Users, specifically the ones that use OneDrive for personal matters, will be able to use the new improved search to quickly find and manage files on the platform.

Plus, Microsoft will release a plethora of new features to OneDrive in 2024, including a Media Viewer, which will integrate the improved search. Overall, the experience of using OneDrive will be greatly enhanced by them.

Improved search on OneDrive: search for people and images with natural languages

Search for people: Microsoft will introduce a new feature that will let users search or browse photos based on people in them. With your permission, OneDrive can find photos based on the names you give to the people in your photos.onedrive improved search

Search for photos using natural language: Microsoft will also introduce natural language search in the photo experience. Users will be able to just type what they are looking for and OneDrive will find it. Plus, users can ask it to find specific places, settings, objects, and people all in one search. For example, if you are looking for a particular photo you can search for “camping in the fall, in the mountains with Caroline” and you’ll see the images you are looking for.

Microsoft plans to roll out the AI search features to consumers, in a limited preview, beginning October 2023 on OneDrive for Web and on the OneDrive Mobile app. The Redmond-based tech giant will release the improved search to public preview early in 2024.

Are you excited about the improved search coming to OneDrive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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