Windows Search is a tool that sits in the desktop taskbar, and while it is small feature it is always one of the most powerful on the platform. Not only does it allow deep search access across Windows 10, but it also offers seamless integration with various Microsoft services. However, surprisingly, the Windows taskbar search has never integrated with Microsoft Edge.
Microsoft is now changing that by testing Microsoft Edge integration with Windows Search. This is in testing for Windows 10 versions 20H2 or newer. Essentially, the brings the Chromium Edge browser experience into the Windows taskbar.
The upshot here is you won't need to open the Edge app to start some basic tasks such as access bookmarks, your browsing history, recent tabs, top sites, and so on. Previously, searches would open in Edge but that was about the extent of the integration.
Some users may not want that level of Edge intrusion on the Windows Search interface, so Microsoft is making this an optional integration. Users can disable the feature at any time and all data shared between Edge and Windows will be removed.
Coming Soon
Currently the ability is tied to the Microsoft Edge Canary testing branch and is not working. As it passes through the Edge testing channels, functionality will come. Making this an Edge tool and not a Windows one is important for availability.
If this was testing on the Windows Insider Program, we would have to wait until a future Windows update to get it… likely Windows 10 21H2 this fall. Because it is an Edge feature, we just need it to test through the browser's channels, which may take a couple of months.
Tip of the day:
File History is a Windows 10 back up feature that saves each version of files in the Documents, Pictures, Videos, Desktop, and Offline OneDrive folders. Though its name implies a primary focus on version control, you can actually use it as a fully-fledged backup tool for your important documents.
