Windows Search is getting a faster, single-list redesign built on WinUI 3, plus inline actions that let you finish simple tasks, such as switching to dark mode, without opening another app. It starts rolling out on the taskbar for Windows Insiders beginning 10/7.

For everyday use, this means fewer steps between finding a setting or file and changing it. Early testing shows substantial improvements in performance and memory usage, and Microsoft is previewing the design now so Insider feedback can shape it before wider release.

Key Features at a Glance

• WinUI 3 foundation: Faster and more efficient with resources, with early testing showing substantial improvements in performance and memory usage.
• Single results list: Results are combined into one easy-to-scan view, since nearly all clicks in the current UX come from the left results list rather than the large preview pane on the right.
• Better matching: Improved handling of typos and synonyms, with fine-tuning continuing over the coming weeks.
• Inline actions: Try “switch to dark mode,” “turn on night light,” “turn on Bluetooth,” “dim my screen,” “mute,” “minimize all my windows,” or “arrange windows on screen” to complete tasks from search.
• Phone actions (coming soon): Complete quick tasks with your Phone Link connected device.
• Later this year: Inline previews and richer file details to tell similar results apart, rich inline web previews for queries like “weather in San Diego,” and filters for categories like files.
• • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  From searching to doing: — Microsoft

Availability

The new experience is gradually rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Experimental channel starting today, with English as the supported language, and you can enable it early under Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature flags after installing build 26340.9616 (Experimental) or build 28120.3181 (Experimental 26H1), then checking for updates and restarting.