Windows 10 and Cortana

Windows 10 19H1 is projected to go live in the spring of 2019 and the preview builds are already live. Windows 10 19H1 is going to improve the overall user experience and it will introduce some much-needed changes including a slider to change the brightness of the monitor.

Recently we reported that Microsoft is working on a new Search experience in Windows 10 and a modern volume flyout menu. It turns out that this can be enabled in Windows 10 19H1 builds using Mach2.

We were able to get an early hands-on of the new Windows Search experience and here’s how it works.

Windows Search improvements

Search in Windows 10 (1)

Windows 10’s 2019 update is going to introduce quite a lot of changes in terms of features. Windows 10 19H1 could separate Cortana from the Windows Search and there will be two different icons on the taskbar. However, Microsoft hasn’t officially announced any of the changes mentioned below and the plans may change.

The first icon will allow you to access Windows Search and with the second icon, you can open Cortana which does not have the search bar anymore.

Taskbar

Windows Search will work independently and Microsoft’s digital assistant Cortana will be available in its very own window with the entire focus on digital assistant-like functionalities.

The keyboard shortcut (Start + S) brings up the new Windows Search panel. The Windows Search homepage shows recent activities which include the web pages opened in Microsoft Edge browser.

You still search by simply typing in the Start menu but to access Cortana, you would need to click on its dedicated icon pinned to the taskbar or with the voice command.

Search in Windows 10 part 2

At the top of the screen, you’ll notice the sections previously found in Cortana – All, Apps, Documents, Email, Web and More. Clicking the option ‘More’ brings up Folders, Music, People, Settings and Videos. The Settings option is linked to the dedicated Search Settings page.

Indexing Options

There is an indexing option which can be accessed by tapping on three dots located at the top right corner. It opens the indexing options page where you can see the included locations for searches and you can also modify it to include the local drives. You can also include other locations.

Search Indexing Options

There is also a dedicated page to customize the new Windows Search experience and it can be found in the Settings app. In the Settings app, there are now two options – Cortana and Search.

Settings

The dedicated Search setting page allows you to configure the Permissions and History. In this page, you can disable features like Cloud Search, Activities history, Recommendations, my device history.

The second tab ‘Searching Windows’ will allow users to access the new enhanced search feature. For those unfamiliar, the new enhanced search mode in Windows 10 is supposed to search your entire PC including libraries before.

Cortana

Cortana new look

Cortana is now available in its own window and it would work independently. Cortana opens with listening mode on by default and the entire focus appears to be on digital assistant features.

Cortana in 19H1

The Cortana’s left pane automatically expands when the user hovers over the navigation pane. The Settings option is linked to the Cortana’s dedicated page in the Settings app.

Cortana settings page

Separating the two features is a good idea as the users will have more control over their desktops. According to rumours, Microsoft could revamp Cortana experience in Windows 10 and provide a more straightforward method of accessing the digital assistant.

New volume flyout

Music Controls in Windows 10

In addition to Cortana being separated from Windows Search, Microsoft is also working on a new interface for the volume flyout which can be accessed from the sound icon pinned to the taskbar.

Music Controls

The music playback control will be integrated directly into the volume flyout. It means you can click on the sound icon and whenever a music is playing, you can adjust volume, pause, stop or change track directly from the flyout.

The feature seems to be ready for public testing and there’s a chance that it could become available for users in the Windows Insider program very soon but at this point, there’s no ETA or official confirmation from Microsoft.

As noted by Albacore, the two features can be enabled in Windows 10 19H1 builds with a third-party called Mach2 but turning on unfinished features may completely trash your Windows installation and you’re not recommended to use it on your production machine.

About The Author

Mayank Parmar

Mayank Parmar is an entrepreneur who founded Windows Latest. He is the Editor-in-Chief and has written on various topics in his seven years of career, but he is mostly known for his well-researched work on Microsoft's Windows. His articles and research works have been referred to by CNN, Business Insiders, Forbes, Fortune, CBS Interactive, Microsoft and many others over the years.