Microsoft 365 Copilot: Unleashing the Power of the New Search Experience

Key insights

• Microsoft 365 Copilot Search is a new AI-powered enterprise search experience that helps users find information across all Microsoft 365 apps and connected third-party services using natural, human language.


• This feature reached general availability in July 2025, allowing eligible users to access it easily on desktop, web, and mobile platforms through the Copilot app without any extra setup.


• The search uses large language models to understand the context of your queries, providing summarized and relevant answers instead of just links or lists of documents.


• Unified search capabilities let you quickly locate emails, files, chats, and more from Outlook, Word, Teams, SharePoint, as well as external sources like Google Drive and Jira through Copilot connectors.


• The system features advanced AI agents called Researcher and Analyst, which can perform multi-step research tasks and data analysis directly within your searches for deeper insights.


• This approach moves beyond traditional keyword searching by offering an integrated, context-aware solution, helping knowledge workers save time and make better decisions with instant access to actionable information.

Introduction: A New Era for Microsoft 365 Search

For years, users of Microsoft 365 have struggled with finding files and information, despite the platform’s many tools like SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive. Traditional search methods often required remembering exact keywords or file locations, leading to frustration and wasted time. However, with the recent release of Microsoft 365 Copilot Search, a new AI-powered enterprise search feature, Microsoft aims to transform how organizations access and use information.

In a recent YouTube tutorial by Scott Brant, the capabilities and tradeoffs of this innovative search experience are explored in detail. The video provides practical guidance on using Copilot Search and examines how well it addresses longstanding challenges within Microsoft 365.

How Copilot Search Works: Seamless and Intelligent

The new Microsoft 365 Copilot Search is integrated directly into the Copilot app, sitting alongside familiar tools like Chat. Unlike traditional search engines that rely on keywords, Copilot Search leverages advanced language models to understand the context behind a user's queries. This shift allows users to ask questions in plain, human language and receive relevant, summarized results—no need to recall exact document names or locations.

Moreover, Copilot Search draws from multiple Microsoft 365 apps, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint. It also connects to third-party services such as Jira and Google Drive, making it a truly unified search tool. This broad connectivity is especially valuable for organizations with diverse data sources, as it breaks down silos and ensures comprehensive results.

Key Benefits and Capabilities

One of the most significant advantages of Copilot Search is its ability to provide instant access to information across different platforms and file types. Users can quickly locate emails, presentations, notes, and more without manual searching. Thanks to its contextual understanding, the AI offers precise answers instead of overwhelming users with endless lists of links.

Furthermore, the integration of new AI agents, such as Researcher and Analyst, enhances the experience by enabling complex research, data analysis, and even real-time code execution. This means Copilot Search not only finds information but also synthesizes knowledge and delivers actionable insights directly within the workflow.

Challenges and Tradeoffs

Despite these impressive features, the transition to an AI-driven search model introduces some challenges. As Scott Brant notes, while Copilot Search excels at interpreting natural language and providing summaries, it may occasionally misinterpret ambiguous queries or overlook niche documents. Users must also adapt to the new interface and trust the AI’s ability to surface the most relevant information.

Another tradeoff is the reliance on Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses, which may limit access for some organizations. Additionally, the integration with third-party data sources, though powerful, requires proper setup and permissions, presenting a potential hurdle for teams with complex data environments.

Does Copilot Search Solve the Search Problem?

Scott Brant’s review acknowledges that Microsoft 365 Copilot Search marks a significant leap forward in enterprise search. Its ability to unify data access, interpret queries naturally, and deliver actionable insights makes it a valuable tool for modern knowledge workers. However, like any new technology, it is not without areas needing improvement—particularly in refining the AI’s accuracy and expanding compatibility.

Ultimately, Copilot Search represents a promising step toward solving the persistent problem of file discovery in Microsoft 365. By harnessing artificial intelligence, Microsoft empowers users to be more productive and make faster, better-informed decisions, even as the technology continues to evolve.

Keywords

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