Hands-On Windows 144: Copilot Search – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
• Host: Paul Thurrott
• Episode: Hands-On Windows 144: Copilot Search
• Release Date: June 12, 2025
• Description: Leo Laporte and the TWiT team bring together leading personalities in technology to discuss the most pressing issues in a fun, relaxed, and informative manner.

Introduction to Copilot Search

Timestamp: [00:00]

Paul Thurrott introduces the episode by highlighting the focus on a new feature named Copilot Search, introduced by Microsoft. He notes that this feature is either a new Copilot feature or an evolution of Bing's capabilities. Thurrott expresses his intrigue about the multitude of Copilot features being rolled out, emphasizing the rapid development within Microsoft's ecosystem.

“...it's only recently started rolling out. And it's kind of a new, interesting new entry in the whole copilot over, for lack of a better term...” — Paul Thurrott [00:08]

Navigating Copilot Search

Timestamp: [02:43]

Thurrott delves into the practical aspects of accessing Copilot Search. He mentions the challenges users might face in locating the feature directly through Bing or the address bar, noting inconsistencies in availability and access points. Despite these hurdles, he acknowledges that there are multiple ways to reach Copilot Search, albeit not straightforwardly linked on Bing's homepage.

“There's no link to it on Bing.com so the prescribed way to do this is maybe you search for something.” — Paul Thurrott [05:00]

Comparing Copilot Search with Traditional Search Engines

Timestamp: [06:00]

Thurrott compares Copilot Search with traditional search engines like Bing and Google. He highlights that while standard searches are suited for finding specific information or navigating to websites, Copilot Search offers a more conversational and contextual experience. This allows users to engage in follow-up questions and deeper inquiries, making it more interactive than the one-off interactions typical of traditional searches.

“Copilot search is for those chatbot type experiences. You want contextual answers.” — Paul Thurrott [06:45]

Features and Functionality of Copilot Search

Timestamp: [09:02]

Exploring the capabilities of Copilot Search, Thurrott provides an example by searching for a “five-day itinerary for Mexico City.” He illustrates how Copilot Search generates a structured plan, organizing activities logically and geographically, which enhances the planning experience compared to standard search results.

“This is a little more involved than something you might do, you know, from Bing.” — Paul Thurrott [09:30]

He further demonstrates Copilot's integration across various platforms, including the Edge web browser and the dedicated Copilot app on Windows. The consistency across platforms ensures a seamless user experience, allowing users to access Copilot Search from desktops, mobile devices, and other operating systems like Mac and Linux.

“...Copilot is one of the safer AI ecosystems to get involved in, in the sense that it's probably has legs.” — Paul Thurrott [15:20]

Conversational Memory and Personalization

Timestamp: [12:15]

A significant advantage of Copilot Search is its conversational memory, which retains context across interactions. This allows for more personalized and coherent conversations, where follow-up questions can build upon previous queries. Thurrott emphasizes that this feature makes Copilot Search not just a tool for information retrieval but a companion for ongoing research and planning.

“It's a conversation. So when you do a search on Google or Bing or whatever, it's a one-off interaction.” — Paul Thurrott [13:50]

Additionally, as users interact more with Copilot Search, it develops a better understanding of their preferences and needs by accessing data from documents on their hard drives or OneDrive, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of responses.

“...it may exclude certain information or include certain information for me that it might not give to you based on what its understanding of me is.” — Paul Thurrott [16:10]

Future Prospects and Integration

Timestamp: [16:45]

Thurrott speculates on the future trajectory of Copilot Search within Microsoft's ecosystem. He anticipates that as AI technologies advance, features like Gemini, ChatGPT, and others will further integrate into Copilot, enhancing its capabilities. He underscores Microsoft’s commitment to developing Copilot as a central component of its productivity tools, ensuring its longevity and continual improvement.

“Microsoft has got this big ecosystem heavily involved in productivity space. They're going to keep working on this.” — Paul Thurrott [17:00]

He also hints at forthcoming enhancements in web browser integrations, particularly with Edge, which may further streamline the accessibility and functionality of Copilot Search.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [18:00]

Paul Thurrott wraps up the discussion by reiterating the potential of Copilot Search to redefine how users interact with search engines. He encourages listeners to explore and experiment with the feature, emphasizing its conversational nature and personalized experience as key differentiators from traditional search methods.

“So there you go, check it out, see what you think. And hopefully you found this entertaining, possibly interesting.” — Paul Thurrott [18:00]

Thurrott also briefly mentions the broader Microsoft Copilot ecosystem, assuring listeners that its integration across devices and platforms makes it a robust and reliable choice for both casual and power users.

Key Takeaways

1. Copilot Search is a Conversational AI Tool: Unlike traditional search engines, Copilot Search allows for interactive, context-aware conversations, enhancing the depth and personalization of search results.

2. Multi-Platform Integration: Copilot Search is accessible via the Edge browser, dedicated app, and across various operating systems, ensuring a seamless user experience.

3. Personalization Through Memory: The ability to retain and utilize conversational context and personal data (with user consent) makes Copilot Search a tailored tool for individual needs.

4. Future Enhancements: Microsoft's ongoing commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies into Copilot Search suggests continual improvements and expanded functionalities.

5. User-Friendly Experience: Despite current accessibility challenges, Copilot Search aims to become the standard search interface, combining the strengths of Bing with advanced AI capabilities.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, sponsorship messages, and non-content sections from the original transcript to focus solely on the primary discussion about Copilot Search.