General Use AI Actions in File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to use AI actions in File Explorer for your account in Windows 11.

Starting with Windows 11 build 262100.6725 (24H2), Microsoft is introducing AI actions in File Explorer. With AI actions in File Explorer, you can interact more deeply with your files by right-clicking to quickly take actions like editing images or summarizing documents. Like with Click to Do, AI actions in File Explorer allow you to stay in your flow while leveraging the power of AI to take advantage of editing tools in apps or Copilot functionality without having to open your file. AI actions in File Explorer are easily accessible. This experience is not yet available for customers in the EEA (European Economic Area).

• Image actions: You can now use four AI-powered image actions with .jpg, .jpeg, and .png files. Visual Search searches the web using an image instead of text. Blur Background opens the Photos app to highlight the subject and blur the background. Erase Objects removes unwanted elements from your photo. Remove Background uses Paint to change any image leaving a smooth cut out of the subject.
• AI actions for Microsoft 365 makes it easier to work with your documents. With the Summarize action in Copilot, you can quickly generate summaries of files stored in OneDrive and SharePoint—no need to open each one. This AI action requires an active Microsoft 365 subscription and a Copilot license (Microsoft account and Microsoft Entra ID supported)

Starting with Windows 11 build 26220.7262 (Dev and Beta), Microsoft is reconfiguring the CFR that supported AI Actions in File Explorer – Insiders may see a temporary loss in image actions and Copilot summary actions as this is relaunched and gradually rolled out to Insiders in the Dev & Beta Channels.

Starting with Windows 11 build 26220.7344 (Dev & Beta), if there are no available or enabled AI Actions, this section will no longer show in the context menu.

Reference:

If you don't have AI actions available in the builds above yet, then you can use the ViVeTool command below to enable it.

vivetool /enable /id:54792954,55345819

(enable 48433719 and reboot if the command above doesn't work.)

Here's How:

1 Right click on a file you want to use AI actions on.

2 Click/tap on AI actions, and click/tap on an available action you want to use on the file. (see screenshot below)



Currently, you can try one of four image actions for seamless editing or web searches with images:

• Visual Search with Bing: Allows you to search the web using an image instead of text. Find similar images and products, get details about sites using the image, and identify landmarks, plants, and famous faces. From searching what you see on your screen, to shopping your preferred style, getting help with that homework problem, or translating text, getting answers is more intuitive than ever.
• Blur Background with Photos: Opens the Photos app which automatically finds the background in the photo, and with a single click, instantly highlights your subject and blurs out the background. You can also customize the effect by adjusting the Blur Intensity or use the Brush Tool to modify the areas being blurred.
• Erase Objects with Photos : Select or highlight an unwanted element in your photo and Generative Erase makes it disappear. It allows you to fix and remove distractions from your photos.
• Remove Background with Paint: Allows you to alter any image automatically in just one click leaving a smooth cutout of the subject. Background removal can detect the subject from the entire canvas or using the selection tool.

These four image actions currently support these file types: .jpg, .jpeg, and .png.

Over the course of the coming weeks, Microsoft will begin to roll out new AI actions for Microsoft 365 files:

• Summarize: With Copilot you can generate summaries of various document types stored on OneDrive and SharePoint without the need to open them individually. Find the information you need quickly! Supported file types: .docx, .doc, .pptx, .ppt, .xlsx, .xls, .pdf, .rtf, .txt, .loop.
• Create an FAQ: Copilot can help you turn your OneDrive files into a neatly formatted, AI-generated Q&A list. Whether you’re building internal knowledge bases, prepping for meetings, or crafting quick-start guides, “Create an FAQ” distills complex information into clear, shareable FAQs in seconds. Supported file types: xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .aspx, .htm, and .html.

To see AI actions for Microsoft 365 files, you must be:

• For Summarize, you need to be Microsoft 365 subscriber with a Copilot subscription (Microsoft account and Microsoft Entra ID supported).
• For Create an FAQ, you need to be a commercial Microsoft 365 subscriber with a Copilot subscription (Microsoft Entra ID supported). Consumer support with a Microsoft account is coming later.
• Enrolled in the Microsoft 365 Insider Program. Your PC will need to be part of the Beta Channel update channel. Use these instructions to get setup today: Become a Microsoft 365 Insider on Windows.

That's it,
Shawn Brink