{
  "id": 13976584,
  "title": "Windows 11 Search Adds 5 Quick Actions Without Opening Settings",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/windows-11-search-adds-5-quick-actions-without-opening-settings",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-12T12:39:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRepublic",
    "slug": "techrepublic",
    "url": "https://www.techrepublic.com/article/news-windows-11-search-inline-actions-settings/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft is testing a redesigned Windows 11 Search experience that allows users to adjust settings and manage open windows directly from the taskbar without opening the Settings app. The new Search feature, which began rolling out to Windows Insiders on Oct. 7, 2026, is currently limited to the Experimental and Experimental (26H1) channels, with English as the only supported language. Insiders can perform various quick actions, such as turning on Bluetooth or dimming the screen, by typing everyday commands directly into the taskbar Search box. Additionally, the redesigned Search can turn on Night Light and minimize open windows, providing shortcuts for common tasks. Microsoft built the Search experience using WinUI 3, improving performance and memory efficiency through a single list of results instead of the previous layout with a large preview panel. The new interface is also better at understanding misspelled words and related terms. While the quick actions and enhanced Search capabilities are available for testing, the feature is still an early preview and not yet available in general release. Microsoft plans to continue refining the Search experience and introduce more features, such as richer file previews, web answers, and filters for narrowing results, in the future. Organizations managing Windows devices should test the feature on separate PCs before considering deployment to production systems, as dedicated management tools like Intune policies or Group Policy settings have not been announced for the preview.",
  "summary": "Microsoft's redesigned Windows 11 Search lets Insiders adjust settings and organize windows without opening Settings. Here's what works and how to try it. The post Windows 11 Search Adds 5 Quick Actions Without Opening Settings appeared first on TechRepublic .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}