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Fluent Search
What it is
Fluent Search is a free, keyboard-driven search and productivity tool for Windows 10 or 11. It can find installed apps, files, browser history and bookmarks, commands, web results, open windows, settings, calculations, and on-screen interface elements. Screen Search places character labels on clickable screen items so users can navigate and interact with them by keyboard. A built-in file indexer is designed to scan quickly while keeping CPU use low; its index stores file metadata, not file contents, unless content indexing is enabled for selected paths. Optional semantic search and summarization run locally and can be disabled in Settings. Community plugins can add sources, previews, actions, and YAML-based workflows. The Web Search App supports configurable engines such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, inline previews, and sending prompts to ChatGPT. The maker says searches, indexes, browser data, and most interactions are processed locally, though some diagnostics, suggestions, sync settings, and plugins may communicate externally depending on configuration. Builds are available for x64 and ARM64; the maker describes ARM64 as newer and not yet battle-tested.
For and against
For
- Free for Windows 10 or 11.
- Search covers apps, files, browser data, and commands.
- Screen Search enables keyboard interaction with screen elements.
- Optional semantic search and summaries run locally.
- Plugins can add sources and workflows.
Against
- Available only for Windows.
- ARM64 build is newer and not yet battle-tested.
- File contents are not indexed unless enabled for selected paths.
- Some settings or plugins may communicate externally.
The verdict
Fluent Search combines broad search categories with keyboard-driven screen navigation and configurable plugins. Its privacy behavior can vary with settings and extensions, and the maker flags the ARM64 build as not yet battle-tested.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who prefer keyboard navigation for searching apps, files, browser data, and screen controls. Users who want local semantic search or customizable search sources can use its optional AI tools and community plugins.
Plans and prices
Fluent Search
Windows 10 or 11 · x64 and ARM64 builds
Read 3 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
On the record
- AI
- Optional semantic search and summarization run locally on the device and can be disabled in Settings.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- ARM build status
- The maker describes the Windows ARM64 build as newer and not yet battle-tested.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker offers Windows x64 and ARM64 installer, APPX, and portable builds, plus Microsoft Store installation.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- External data flows
- Depending on settings, crash diagnostics, web suggestions, Microsoft To Do, OneDrive settings sync, and third-party plugins may involve external communication.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- File indexing
- Its built-in file indexer is designed to scan files quickly while keeping CPU usage low.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- File index limits
- The index stores file metadata and does not store file contents unless content indexing is explicitly enabled for selected paths.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Plugins and automation
- Community plugins can add search sources, previews, actions, and YAML-based task workflows.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says searches, file indexes, browser data, and most interactions are processed locally, and that local files, search queries, and searched content are not uploaded.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Fluent Search is a keyboard-driven Windows search and productivity tool for finding apps, files, browser data, commands, web results, windows, and more.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Screen navigation
- Screen Search overlays character labels on clickable screen elements so users can navigate and interact with the screen using the keyboard.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Search apps
- Search Apps cover installed apps, files, browser history and bookmarks, commands, web searches, open windows, settings, calculations, and on-screen UI elements.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The plugin documentation lists GitHub, Discord, and [email protected] as community and support channels.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
- Web integrations
- The Web Search App supports configurable search engines such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, inline page previews, and sending prompts to ChatGPT.fluentsearch.net · read 3 Oct 2026
