About this article
This article re-verifies official Microsoft information as of September 18, 2026, and distinguishes between Microsoft Search, Microsoft Search in Bing (which ended in 2025), and Microsoft Copilot Search.Verification Status: 📘 Official Microsoft information verified / Not tested on actual devices
Microsoft Search is a search experience that allows users to find files, sites, people, and more within Microsoft 365within the scope of what they have permission to access. Search results are not the same for everyone; they are returned based on user permissions.
Clarifying the terminology
| Name | Status as of September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Search | The standard search experience that continues in SharePoint and Microsoft 365 |
| Microsoft Search in Bing | Discontinued worldwide on March 31, 2025 |
| Microsoft Copilot Search | AI-powered search for eligible Microsoft Copilot licenses |
Following the retirement of the Bing version, the primary entry points for Microsoft Search are M365.cloud.microsoft and SharePoint Online. Official Microsoft documentation notes that users without a Copilot license can still access Microsoft Search from within the Microsoft Copilot app.
flowchart LR
U[利用者] --> Entry[M365.cloud.microsoft / SharePoint]
Entry --> Search[Microsoft Search]
Search --> ACL{アクセス権}
ACL --> SP[SharePoint / OneDrive等の検索対象]
U -->|対象Copilotライセンス| CS[Copilot Search]
CS --> Work[組織データを横断したAI検索]
First steps to try
Search for a known test document name in SharePoint to compare site-level search with broader search scopes. If it doesn't appear in the results, do not immediately assume a search failure; instead, check viewing permissions, search target settings, indexing latency, and the search scope.
Practical Example: Inability to search leads to duplicate files
If administrative staff are constantly asking "Where is the latest version?", you should review not only the search functionality but also file names, titles, metadata, and where the master copy is stored.
悪い例: 計画_最新版_最終2.xlsx 良い例: 新会館_移行計画_2026.xlsx
Search using "Specific Word + Document Type + Fiscal Year", and change only the year to verify how easily it can be distinguished from previous years' versions.
Points for administrators to check
Check SharePoint search settings, site permissions, search targets, the impact of search schemas, bookmark management, Microsoft 365 change notifications, and the eligible licenses and data scope when using Copilot Search.
Common misconceptions
Statements like "Microsoft Search was completely discontinued in 2025," "Internal search is impossible without Copilot Search," or "You can find documents you don't have permission to access through search" are incorrect. Only the Microsoft Search experience on Bing was retired; the standard search functionality continues to operate.
Official Microsoft Information & Primary Sources
Search quality is not determined by the search box alone.Permissions, master copies, naming, metadata, and information architecture all combine to form the search infrastructureitself.
