Microsoft, which is known for products like Microsoft Teams, revealed this week that it has begun a gradual deployment of its unique “search highlights” capability for Windows 10 users, which will be available to Windows 11 users soon. 

Whenever a user hovers or selects an image that is displayed inside the Windows search box, that is placed on the Windows taskbar at the bottom of the screen, search highlights display relevant items for a search. As per this Windows 10 Insider program article, the search highlights capability will display photos related to a search and also “regular information including word of the day, Microsoft Rewards offers, popular searches, and much more.” 

When a user signs in with a school or work Microsoft account, the search highlights capability will display “the latest upgrades from your company as well as recommended persons, documents, and much more,” according to the Windows 10 Insider article. 

The search highlights functionality is now appearing on select Windows 10 pcs that have received the March monthly quality upgrade. However, because it is a staggered release, the company has not set a precise launch date. 

On the Windows 11 front, the company stated that search highlights will be available to Windows 11 users “beginning next week.” However, the statement appears in a Windows 11 Insider article on preview releases, so it is unclear whether the company implies that the capability will be available in production environments next week. 

Although search highlights appear to be a consumer-oriented function, the company intends to provide it first to companies. This is how the idea was demonstrated: 

Search enhancements will first be available to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) connected and office connected computers in specified tenant groups. In the coming months, general availability, involving domain-connected computers, will be available. 

Users will be able to toggle search highlights on and off. Users can get to it by right-clicking on the taskbar, which provides users the choice to choose or remove the capability. 

IT professionals may exercise limited policy control over the upcoming search highlights for Windows 10 and Windows 11. They may remove it with a Group Policy modification, for example, but the functionality will be activated if it is not specified by the policy. Some other option is to utilize the Microsoft Download Center’s “Administrative Templates (.admx) and Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows 10, version 20H2.” 

Companies may also use Microsoft Endpoint Manager to make policy configuration changes to stop or allow the search highlights capability. Furthermore, the company stated that “additional controls are accessible in the Microsoft 365 administrative center.”