Windows 10: Windows searching through file explorer not working and search index rebuilding...

Discus and support Windows searching through file explorer not working and search index rebuilding... in Windows 10 Ask Insider to solve the problem; This issue has been plaguing me for over a year now and I can't seem to find a working solution. Before this problem occurred, I was able to search for... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Ask Insider' started by /u/Hawkcaw, Aug 13, 2020.

  1. Windows searching through file explorer not working and search index rebuilding...


    This issue has been plaguing me for over a year now and I can't seem to find a working solution. Before this problem occurred, I was able to search for my files/documents through the search bar in a file explorer window like any normal person. After noticing some of my newer documents were not showing up in the search results, I searched online and attempted a few solutions, one of them stating to rebuild the search index under Indexing Options. However, trying to rebuild the search index completely broke my searching capability altogether. It would index a certain number of files then just either slow to a crawl or "stop" indexing (it wouldn't say it was completed or freeze, but state "indexing slowed due to user activity"). So the index would never rebuild despite many attempts which affects my searching. No results would ever show no matter what is typed into the search bar in file explorer, and the address bar would slowly fill with the green progress bar with nothing to show for it.

    I tried the Troubleshooter which yielded no problems. I tried "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" followed by "sfc /scannow" and no issues were found. I tried turning off Bing and Cortana. Nothing seems to quite work short of reinstalling W10 from scratch.

    Are the search function and index rebuilder truly that broken or am I not finding the right solution?

    submitted by /u/Hawkcaw
    [link] [comments]

    :)
     
    /u/Hawkcaw, Aug 13, 2020
    #1

  2. Index search in File Explorer

    Hello,

    I suggest you to try the below step to see if it resolves the issue.



    If the index can't find a file that you know exists in an indexed location, you might need to rebuild the index. Rebuilding the index can take several hours, and searches might be incomplete until the index is fully rebuilt.

    1. Open Indexing Options by clicking the
    Start button
    and then clicking Control Panel. In the
    search box
    , type indexing options, and then click
    Indexing Options
    .

    2. Click Advanced. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    3. In the Advanced Options dialog box, click the
    Index Settings tab
    , and then click Rebuild. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    Reference:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/search-file-explorer.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/improve-windows-searches-using-index-faq#1TC=windows-7.

    Hope this helps to resolve the issue. Please revert for any clarification on this or any Windows issue. We will be glad to help you.
     
    Anju Thekkethil, Sep 5, 2020
    #2
  3. dalchina Win User
    Cortana search not work / Windows search not work / Not indexing

    Hi, I suggest you
    a. wait for indexing to be complete
    b. open file explorer at a point in the file hierarchy above a folder you wish to search which has been indexed
    c. type the file name in file explorer's search field
    d. post
    i. Indexing options showing the folder is specified to be indexed
    ii file explorer showing the search text and result
    like this:

    Windows searching through file explorer not working and search index rebuilding... [​IMG]


    There you can see H: is indexed; explorer is open at H: ; I'm searching for a file doc-47 ; That's been found in a folder on drive H:
     
    dalchina, Sep 5, 2020
    #3
  4. Arun B J Win User

    Windows searching through file explorer not working and search index rebuilding...

    Windows 10 Windows Search / Indexing Stops Completing

    Hi,



    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

    I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

    I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps

    • Press Windows key + R.
    • Type Services.msc In the search box.
    • Select Windows Search
    • Restart the services and set the service as Automatic
    If the issue persist try performing Rebuilding Index again.

    To rebuild the index follow the steps below:

    • Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
    • Open Indexing Options in the Control Panel.
    • Select the Advanced button in the Indexing Options window.
    • Select Rebuild in the Troubleshooting section of the Advanced Options window.
    • Select OK when it asks if you’re sure you want to re-build the search index.


    Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help
     
    Arun B J, Sep 5, 2020
    #4
Thema:

Windows searching through file explorer not working and search index rebuilding...

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