Windows 10: File Explorer not searching correctly.

About two weeks ago I noticed File Explorer was not searching. I use windows 11.I noted if I entered a single letter eg E then it gave many results, most did not have a highlighted E but I assume somewhere in the selected file there must have been an E. If I enter two digits eg En then the search keeps searching for about 15 seconds, then the screen flashes and iI get a blank screen then everything reloads. File Explorer closes down.A Microsoft support person tried a few things then I noted File Explorer could not even create a new folder and the right facing arrow " back to Documents" was

:)

 

File Explorer Search Not Working


I am trying to search in File Explorer (Windows Explorer, My Computer) and it will not find anything. I can copy text from a name in the list and paste it in the search box and it still finds nothing. I have looked at the suggestions that have been posted and nothing I find that is relative to this works. Anyone have any suggestions? I am running Win 10 Pro on an I3 coustom desktop computer.

 

setting default view for Winodws Explorer Search Reasults

Thank you for the detailed response. To change the search result's view from content to list, we suggest following the steps below:

• Open the File Explorer and try to search for files.
• In the toolbar, open the View tab and click List
  to change the view.
• Once changed, close the File Explorer.
• Open the File Explorer again and try to search to see if the setting has been retained.

After performing the steps above, reply back to us so we can provide additional help.

 

File Explorer Search Question

Additional information to "properly" complete this task (this post is for the original poster, and for future reference for others that come across this post): The step that is mentioned in post #2 above disables that certain feature from listing the history of your search results, yet those search results that you posted in your picture, I highly believe, are still saved in your computer. (So if you undo the steps from post #2, your history will show up again.) The best practices in a scenario like this is to also remove those search results (that are now hidden after following step #2). What I would do: 1) Temporarily undo what you did from Step #2 2) Click in the search box, and place your mouse cursor on the first result. You will see an "X" on the right side. Here's an example of what mine currently looks like:

(as you can see, I placed my mouse cursor on the first result, to see that "X" on the right side of that history result) 3) Press that "X" button, to delete that search result from the history that the computer saved 4) The list will move upwards, removing that first result. The same thing will show for that next result. 5) Continue that same process until the list is cleared. 6) Keep note though! One this list is removed, press in that Search box again! It's possible that more results will show. If so, those next list of results are from even older. Sometimes Windows doesn't show every single item within that first list, so you must press the Search Box above again, in order for Windows to reload more of that list. 7) Continue this same process, if applies. 8) One there are no more items to list, then follow the same process from Step #2 above to go back to the new, history-disabled, method that you just did. What I typed is pretty much a more "proper" way to approach this scenario, in order to avoid others figuring out a way to look at the history of your searches. My steps are not necessary, but would be more preferred if you want to completely remove your search history. It's your choice.