Jen Gentleman 🌺

I'm a big believer that not every product question can be answered by a data dashboard - sometimes we need to figure out whether a feature will not just work and get used, but be impactful. Our team uses a mix of techniques to evaluate an experience, and one of my favorites is the simplest: picture a real person (rushed, distracted, three tabs deep) and ask honestly whether this would make their day a little easier. This video shows how we put Actions in Windows Search to that test. Can inline actions in your search box help you knock something out mid-scramble? We think so. You can find, preview, and act right from your taskbar, whether it's ensuring you're about to open the right file, snapping windows, or even sending a text. We also sweated the details you're not supposed to notice. Animations that used to run independently are now coordinated, so the whole flow reads as one movement. I'd love to know what you think of the latest Windows Search improvements rolling out to Windows Insiders!