Windows 10: Anniversary Update: Search not working properly

My problem is that windows fails to return results that I know it should. I've tried re-indexing but to no avail. I am not getting that message you mentioned and Cortana seems to be working (though since I never use it I have no idea really). Searching settings also works. I assumed since the thread also started with a problem about incomplete search results that these issues were related.

 

Hi, depends if you're talking about Cortana search or explorer search. I'll assume the former.
The OPs problem was the particular error message returned when trying to search. You can search Settings, so your language settings aren't the issue.

Perhaps you could say what your problem with search results is.

Meanwhile, here is some information about Cortana search of your documents and files.
1. It will only return results from what's indexed.
2. It will not find executable files (exe, cmd, bat - maybe some others.
3. As now implemented in the anniversary edition you need to select documents/apps (= universal apps and desktop programs)/pictures etc, a further complication.

This is very confusing and some here simply ignore Cortana.

If you mean explorer search, or some issue with Cortana, could you please explain?

Finally, for reliable search, much faster and more user-friendly, try one of these free programs:
Ultrasearch
Everything by Void Tools (use v1.4 beta)
Locate32

All very quickly index NTFS file names and folder names, and provide extremely near immediate search results. Many here use the first two.

 

I'm talking about the start search (a.k.a. you hit the windows key and start typing). I have checked that the folders that contain the files I'm searching for are indexed and the programs and files I'm looking for are not being found. I have "all" selected but nothing. They are, however, being found on my laptop which is also running the anniversary update (including programs/.exe files). So I'm assuming something is up with this installation but I'm not sure.

 

That search box is part of Cortana too. 'Ask me anything'.

If you launch explorer and use the search box there, you can try searching for the same things. If they are indexed, you will get a pretty well immediate result.

Can you post a screenshot showing your search box and what you're searching for?

Personally I use Classic Shell (free) and have all the flexibility I want with my start menu, including search (separately configurable from the above), plus it correctly displays the folders and subfolders in my extensive start menu. It can launch universal apps as well. Just no tiles. If you want a replacement with tiles, they exist too.

Oh, and it doesn't suddenly change format, as the MS start menu did with this upgrade, which also lost all the tiles I'd had.

 

This is what I get when I search for foobar in the start menu.


This is what I get when I search in explorer.
I appreciate the suggestion but I'd rather not dabble with third party programs when I know this can and does work.

 

Do you have a foobar shortcut in your Win 10 start menu?

It is actually really hard to manipulate the Win 10 start menu content. I suspect that's where you're heading in terms of 'solving' this.

It would just work with Classic Shell (e.g.) if what I think may be going on actually is.

 

I've tried that. It won't let me make one.

 

Yes, I was right. No shortcut in start menu = you can't search for it.

And no, you can't add them using the Win 10 start menu itself unlike start menus Win 7 and earlier. Instead you have to find the appropriate folder in explorer and manipulate that.

Either
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
or
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
I can't recall which.. easiest is just try it.

Note that the Win 10 start menu does not express subfolders. The shortcuts in them appear, in alphabetical order so I see a mess like this: - a mix from different programs.



In Classic shell, everything is neat and orderly.

But this may confuse you if you have many programs installed in manipulating the folder.

 

Manipulate it how? If I go to the program folder and right click on the file it gives me the option to add it to start but it doesn't do anything. I've started making another bootable USB. If I can't figure this out soon I'll just do another clean install. It's not worth the time trying to troubleshoot this.

 

A clean install won't solve this problem.

If you are determined to use Win 10's start menu, that's what you're dealing with. Bad design.

 

But I didn't have this issue on my laptop with the exact same settings and software installed. Neither did a friend of mine who recently upgraded.

 

It depends how foobar was installed- for current user or for all users. Hence where the shortcuts ended up- one or other of those folders.

 

A clean install did the trick. Windows Search is working as expected.

 

Nope, not for me. I clean installed using a Win 10 Pro Spanish 64-bit ISO & one of the first install options choosing time & money US. The OS booted in Spanish, I updated & rebooted a couple of times & tested Cortana & Windows search: all OK. With ENG on the taskbar & English set as default in language Settings but everything was in Spanish because the English packages are not included in the ISO. Needed to download Settings > Time & Language > English language & speech & rebooted now with OS in English (at least the display portion).

Now Windows search & Cortana are broken, it can't even find Windows update of device manager lol! Getting the dreaded "These results may be incomplete ..." error even after indexing was complete, rebooting, rebuilding the index, rebooting, applying all dalchina's suggestions in post 7.

Before this clean install, I had Win 10 Pro upgraded on Spanish OS 32-bit from Win 7 Pro and when for an other User's account I selected English for display including speech pack his Cortana & Windows search was broken while it was working fine for Spanish Admin user. When display language & speech & location was changed to English US for Admin, same broken Cortana, Windows search, Settings search. Only File explorer & Control Panel search were working just like in the clean install. With Cortana disabled, Windows search is still broken.

Considering Win 10's poor Start menu this is a HUGE usability problem as I speak 4 different languages & have users who need different display languages.

Edit: changing Control panel > Language > Spanish for Display fixes Windows search for that language only.

As I want the OS & Admin in English I can always download Win 10 64-bit in English in the Media creation tool & redo a clean install but I am willing to bet my car that if display language is changed or new user is with different display language the Cortana & Windows search problem will still be there. *Mad

 

I agree, this is and can be frustrating, and I struggled with it first time.

If you change the display language you also have to make other things consistent with that display language such as installing the speech pack for Settings search to work again.

In all cases under Settings, Time & Language, I have everything set to the UK.
Note that the keyboard settings don't affect Settings search or Cortana.

One way to give yourself a chance to try again to set the language settings if you feel you need to, and can't revert them any other way by removing options, is to do an in-place upgrade repair install.

I've had to do that once before. It can be very frustrating, and that it is so hard, is a serious oversight on MS's part. It should be wizard based so you end up with a valid outcome.

You might want to check for consistency here:




Also see 9 here:
15 Windows 10 problems - and how to fix them | IT PRO

For further advice, I suggest you post a set of screenshots showing your settings and the problem.