Windows 11 further enhances the taskbar with a very useful feature. Microsoft is testing a new functionality called Copy & Search, which simplifies the process of copying text and manually pasting it into a search engine. Now, a simple click will initiate the query.
With Windows 10 now officially phased out, Microsoft is focusing on the latest version of its operating system. Windows 11 comes with exciting new features, including a complete redesign of the Start menu, as well as ergonomic enhancements. One of these is Copy & Search, a new feature that allows users to conduct a search using text from the clipboard with just one click.
Windows 11 tests “Copy & Search,” a practical new feature for searching
“We are introducing Copy & Search, a feature that allows you to search for text in your clipboard with a single click. When you copy text from anywhere in Windows, a paste glow will appear in your search box. Click on this glow and your copied text will appear in the search field, allowing you to search instantly,” Microsoft explains in its official documentation.
This feature is currently being tested in the latest preview versions of Windows 11, which suggests that its rollout to all users is just around the corner, likely within a few months. Copy & Search is compatible with all text content, whether it’s Word documents, web pages in a browser, third-party applications, or any other software that allows text copying. This functionality is expected to be quite useful in everyday tasks.
Whenever text is copied within Windows, the search box on the taskbar is immediately updated with the label “Search the copied text” and an icon representing the clipboard. By clicking this button, the previously copied content is pasted into the search field. The user can then confirm the query by hitting Enter to display web results or view suggestions in the search panel that opens automatically.
Currently, Copy & Search is limited to members of the Windows Insider program. This program is a testing platform that allows volunteers to try out new features before their official release, even if it means encountering bugs. This is where its usefulness lies. Users report problems to Microsoft, which can then fix them and refine the user experience.
As we know, there are bugs in Windows 11, although the Redmond company works diligently to fix issues such as the recent malfunctions with Windows Hello and crashes in settings that have recently been corrected. The presence of Copy & Search in the preview builds hints at a general availability soon.
