Did you know you can search files locally on your Windows 11 PC with Copilot? Yes, the Copilot can access files stored on your device and in OneDrive to assist with finding information and answering questions.
With Copilot File Search feature, you can find, open, and ask questions about the contents of a file located on your PC. You can search by file name, last modified date, or type of file to quickly retrieve the information you need.
You can adjust your permissions for what Copilot can access, retrieve, or read in Copilot Settings under Permission settings. Currently, this process requires manual intervention, but I hope it will be achievable through Intune settings catalog or Group Policy in the future.
In this post, I will show you how to enable or disable Copilot file search feature on Windows 11 PC. So let’s get started.
Important
- Blocking file access may limit Copilot’s ability to assist with tasks that require file manipulation or access to certain settings.
- If you’re concerned about privacy, review Copilot’s permissions carefully and only enable access to files when necessary.
Searchable File Types with Copilot
On your Windows PC, you can search the following file types using Copilot:
- Documents: .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .rtf
- Image Files: .jpg, .png, .mp4, .mp3, .wav, .gif
- Code & Config Files: .html, .css, .js, .sql, .xml, .json, .ini, .bat, .ps1
Copilot and Windows Search Settings
Copilot’s ability to search through files on your computer is also tied to Windows Search settings, specifically the file indexing and permissions related to file search within the Copilot settings. You can configure these settings by navigating to Settings > Privacy & Security > Searching Windows.
On Windows 11, you get two search modes: Classic and Enhanced. Classic mode focuses on indexing your documents, pictures, music folders, and desktop files, while enhanced mode expands to index your entire PC, covering all user folders and files.
Enable File Search in Copilot on Windows 11
To enable file search permissions for Copilot on Windows 11, open the Copilot app. Click your account picture at the bottom left and select Settings. Scroll down to Permission settings and toggle the File search option to On.
Now, start a new conversation in the app by typing ‘Search for PDF files on this PC‘. Copilot scans your local drives for files with a .pdf extension and displays their names. If your computer has numerous PDF files, click “View All Files” to access the complete list.
Grant File Search Permissions in Copilot App
If you haven’t explicitly granted File Search permissions in the Copilot app, the app can prompt you to activate the permissions. For instance, if you initiate a new conversation asking Copilot to locate documents on your PC, it will request your permission to search your files. You’ll be presented with three options to choose from:
- Always allow: The File search permissions are enabled.
- Allow once: This will allow Copilot to search for local files only once.
- Not now: This option blocks the Copilot’s access to local files.
Disable Copilot File Search
To restrict Copilot from searching files located on your Windows 11 PC, open the Copilot app. Click your account picture at the bottom left and select Settings. Scroll down to Permission settings and toggle the File search option to Off.
