Microsoft Search FAQs
Here's a list of the most common questions.
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Yes, Microsoft Search parses query intent from larger phrases. This feature uses AI to learn common superfluous phrases users add to their queries that don't affect their search intent. For example, when a user searches for tell me more about how to change my password, we extract the less important words from the query and trigger based on the relevant ones like change password.
This feature won't override keywords set in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Yes. You can search on-premises SharePoint files if you have a hybrid deployment of SharePoint.
These are the instructions for setting the default search engine, default homepage, and default browser to give your users the best experience with Microsoft Search in Bing:
- Set Microsoft Edge as your default browser
- Make Bing your default search engine
- Set Bing.com as your enterprise homepage
We require Microsoft Entra ID authentication to access results from the Trusted Cloud. Authenticated users only see content they have access to. When using Microsoft Search in Bing, search queries are de-identified and logs are separated from public Bing search traffic.
Unlike the classic search experience in SharePoint which prefers the Title
property of a file, search results in Microsoft Search display the filename for files, similar to the default view in SharePoint or OneDrive libraries. This approach avoids showing the Title
property, which can often be misleading when it carries over from copied documents or from document templates. However, for sites, pages and list items, the Title
property is shown.
Text in the Title
property is still indexed and searchable, and can be used in the hit highlighting of a search results if decided by the search engine.
No.
Details can be found on the Trust Center pages for Office 365.
Microsoft 365 enables rich collaboration with people outside of your organization through guest access. These users can search for documents, sites, groups, lists, and libraries. However, guests won't get the full, personalized Microsoft Search experience and may need to use the on-page search box instead of the unified Microsoft Search box in the header.
For most organizations, including enterprise and education, Microsoft Search in Bing is on by default. To turn on Microsoft Search in Bing, go to the Configurations page in the Microsoft 365 admin center. Under Microsoft Search in Bing setting, choose Change and select Enable Microsoft Search in Bing at your organization. It takes up to 24 hours for this change to take effect.
If this setting is off, users won't get internal results when they search on Bing, Windows Search, or Microsoft Edge. They also won't be able to access Microsoft 365 Chat. Turning off Microsoft Search in Bing doesn't stop or prevent internal content from being added to your search index. It only disables Bing entry points to Microsoft Search. To find answers and internal results, users need to use other entry points, for example, SharePoint Online or an Office 365 app.
Microsoft Search is the search for your Microsoft 365 experience; there is no additional cost to search your data. Some features like Microsoft Graph connectors come with quotas that are included on certain licenses and have extra quota available for purchase.