Windows 10: Can't open programs through the start menu search anymore

I suddenly can't open installed programs like Steam or Skype through the search bar in the start menu on Windows 10.I can use Win+R to run apps.The same issue was reported back in 2017 but none of the solutions there helped me.The folder mentioned in the solution there doesn't exist on my computer: C:\Users\my user\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewynor any other folder with the word 'cortana' under AppData.It might be related to shutting down a service of cortana or something, but I don't know how to run cortana or the service manager now that i cannot run applica

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Can't open programs through the start menu search anymore

I suddenly can't open installed programs like Steam or Skype through the search bar in the start menu on Windows 10.

I can open programs if I pin them to the start menu, or programs that appear on the alphabetical list and recently added list in the start menu, but if I search for a program manually in the search bar, and click on it, nothing will happen. It's just clickable,
nothing else. I can open other stuff like music, folders, documents.

I changed the Windows' region from where I live to US, to check if I could login to Groove Music, since the Groove Music service isn't supported where I actually live. After that, I couldn't open programs through the search menu anymore, and it's something
I do very often.

Naturally, I changed my region back to where I actually live after seeing this problem, but it still doesn't work for some reason. I tried logging out of the Microsoft store and restarting the computer, but that didn't do anything.

I can't think of anything else that could cause the problem, aside from installing a Windows update after changing my region to US, but I don't think the update was related to the region change, so it might be the region change that messed something up,
or maybe it was something with the Windows update.

 

Windows Search Not Opening Removed Start Menu Programs

Hi all, I have removed all unnecessary apps, etc from the Start Menu list - however there are Folders, for example, "Ease of Access" --- where once removed from the Start Menu folder list %appdata/programdata% --- the applications within the folder no longer work when calling on them in the Windows Search. They appear in the search results, but upon clicking them - nothing opens.

Example: Delete 'Ease of Access' from Start Menu Programs Folders %appdata/programdata% --- Click Windows Button, type in 'Narrator' (program within the 'Ease of Access' folder) and try to click it, doesn't open. Happens with all the programs within the Folders.

As soon as I put the Folders back in the Start Menu Programs Folders %appdata/programdata% - the search entries all function as usual.

I've tried rebuilding the search, adding the entire C drive to search index, nothing seems to be working.

Basically I'm looking to remove the 'Ease of Access' 'Windows Accessories' 'PowerShell' etc folders from the Start Menu list, but still be able to call the applications within them up thru the Windows Search and click to open.

Anyone have a fix?

 

Start Menu Search

Hi,

About your issue regarding the Start menu or Search, in order for us to assist you better. Please answer the question:

• Were there any recent changes made to your system prior to the issue?

In the meantime, we suggest you to check this link:
Troubleshoot problems opening the Start menu or Cortana. It contains troubleshooting steps prior to the issue.

We'll look forward to your response.