Windows 10: Windows search box not working

the search bar has stopped working since the last Windows Update - it no longer lets you search anymore - when you click on it, it opens an annoying window with "frequent apps" I've never used and "what's happing now" ads, and "Recommended" ads for other Microsoft products - and it has no way to close the window! There is no "X" button, and clicking on the search box again won't close it, you have to reboot to get rid of this monstrosity

:)

 

search box

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I appreciate your interest in Windows 10.We sincerely regret for the inconvenience caused.

I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if are able to find search box.

• 
  Right click on the task bar.
  
• 
  Go to Cortana.
  
• 
  Click on show search box.
  

Now check if you are able to find search box.

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

 

Search boxes inside windows not working

In the task bar it works normal, it's only the boxes inside the windows as described in this site by someone else.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...1-b9bdc0aa4734

If I click and type it won't work either. It's really annyong and weird, I cant search anymore in my thousands of files.

- - - Updated - - -

Where do I have to do that? I dont understand what that is.

 

Search boxes inside windows not working

Didn't work *Sad

Thanks a lot anyway. Any more ideas?