Windows 10: Microsoft Tests a New Windows 11 Search That Can Toggle Settings and Snap Windows From the...

Microsoft has started rolling out a redesigned Windows Search experience to Windows Insiders that can carry out actions, such as switching to dark mode or snapping windows, directly from the search box on the taskbar in Windows 11.

The company announced the change in a Windows Insider Blog post on October 7, 2026, and says the rollout is gradual and limited to the Experimental channel for now.

The new search is rebuilt on WinUI 3, which Microsoft says makes it faster and more efficient with system resources. It also drops the familiar layout with a results list on the left and a preview pane on the right. A single list now groups all results together, a decision Microsoft explains by noting that most clicks in Windows Search come from that left-hand list anyway.

Windows Search Adds Inline Actions for Settings and Windows


Inline actions are the main addition. Instead of returning a link to a Settings page, the new search executes a request typed in plain language. Microsoft lists these examples in the announcement:

• toggling settings with requests like "switch to dark mode," "turn on night light," or "turn on Bluetooth"
• making quick adjustments such as "dim my screen" or "mute"
• managing windows by minimizing all open windows or arranging and snapping them
• sending a text through a phone connected with Phone Link, which Microsoft says is coming soon

Search is also getting better at handling typos and synonyms. Microsoft plans to keep tuning that behavior over the coming weeks.

More is planned for later in 2026: inline previews of documents and photos with richer file details, inline web answers for queries such as weather, stock prices, or the height of a landmark, and filters for categories like files. In 2027, Microsoft intends to bring the experience to the Start menu and adapt it to different taskbar positions and configurations.

Searches started from Start keep the current experience during the early previews. Copilot integration is mentioned only as a direction, without any details.

How Windows Insiders Can Enable the New Search


The redesigned search requires build 26340.9616 in the Experimental channel or build 28120.3181 in the Experimental 26H1 channel, and it supports English only in this first release. Insiders on a qualifying build turn it on with a feature flag:

1. Install the qualifying build, open Settings > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and restart the PC.
2. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature flags.
3. Enable the "New Windows Search Experience" flag.

The flag only appears after the update check and restart, according to Microsoft. Feedback goes through Feedback Hub (Win + F) under Desktop Environment > Search.

The announcement does not say whether queries and actions are processed locally or in the cloud, and it lists no privacy details or hardware requirements. Microsoft has also not given a date for the new search to reach stable versions of Windows 11.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Tests a New Windows 11 Search That Can Toggle Settings and Snap Windows From the Taskbar appeared first on gHacks.

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Microsoft News Notifications

Follow these steps to check if it works:

Step 1: Open the Windows Settings menu by pressing the Windows Key and “I,” or alternatively search for Settings in the Windows search bar and click the corresponding result.

Step 2: Click Notifications & Actions in the left-hand menu. This will take you to a screen providing access to all of the settings related to notifications and the Action Center.

Step 3: Click the System icon, then select Notifications and actions from the left-hand menu.

Step 4: Look for the Notifications subheading, where you will see a number of toggles for various types of notifications. The following is a list of the settings you can toggle on this screen:

• Get notifications from apps and other senders
• Show notifications on the lock screen
• Show alarms, reminders, and incoming VoIP calls on the lock screen
• Hide notifications when duplicating my screen
• Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows

You may just turn them off the notification as you need.

 

windows xp installation and dual core am

could someone please list the steps they follow to install windows with a dual core processor and windows xp service pack to. I'm reletively new to amd dual core and i feel i'm missing a step. All help will be appreciated. thanx

 

Microsoft testing blue light reduction feature for Windows 10

"Microsoft is slowly revealing new features in its next major update to Windows 10, and it appears blue light reduction feature might be a future addition. The software giant released a new build of Windows 10 testers yesterday with very few visible additions, but Windows enthusiasts have already started picking it apart for clues on new features. Twitter user "Core"has discovered references to a "BlueLightReduction" setting deep within the next major update to Windows 10 (codenamed Redstone 2). It appears to be a setting that will be toggled from the Action Center (notification center) in the operating system.

F.lux has been the most popular option for Windows users looking to reduce blue light in the evenings, but Microsoft's own native toggle will bring this feature to every Windows 10 user. Apple has also integrated a similar feature in iOS 9, but it hasn't announced any plans to bring blue light reduction to Mac OS yet. Microsoft only appears to be testing the feature right now, so there's no guarantee it will ship in the update due early next year. If Microsoft does implement it fully then it will presumably be available on the mobile version of Windows 10, too."

http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/1/12746920/microsoft-windows-10-blue-light-reduction-feature