Microsoft has begun rolling out a highly anticipated feature in Copilot for Windows 11 and Windows 10, enabling the AI assistant to search for files stored locally or synchronized via OneDrive. Previously, this feature was available only to Windows Insider Program participants, but it is now accessible to all Copilot users, as reported by Windows Latest.

The "File Search" function in Copilot utilizes Windows Search indexing, allowing users to find documents by name, type, or date. Supported formats include Microsoft Office (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), PDF, text files, and others. However, specific developer extensions, such as .dart, are currently not included.

By default, Copilot has access only to the "Documents" and "Downloads" folders, but the search scope can be customized in Windows permission settings. To enable this feature, users need to activate it in the Copilot settings. Microsoft deliberately did not enable it by default for privacy reasons.

Microsoft states that the rollout of this feature will occur gradually over the coming weeks and does not require a Copilot Pro subscription. The company views local file search as a natural extension of integrating Copilot into the desktop environment, enabling users to quickly find and interact with documents without leaving the chat interface.