Windows 10: How can I restart Windows Search service?

Hello,

I recently did windows updates, did the anniversary update among a few other updates. If you need a full list of all the updates I have done let me know. I want to re-enable windows index service. I need to have all of my documents, notes, and emails. If you go to services, select WSearch, I am unable to start the service. Hopefully this image can convey what I am trying to do.

:)

 

How can I pin the restart button (or restart shortcut to task bar?

Hi,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community. We understand how you feel about the situation. We're sorry for the trouble.

Provide the following information to assist you further:

1) What’s happening when you click on shortcut key?

2) Have you created shortcut for restart?

I suggest you to create the shortcut for restart and check if it helps.

1) First right-click on the desktop, choose New and then
Shortcut.

2) In the shortcut location box, you’ll need to enter the correct command.

3) Restart Computer: Shutdown.exe -r -t 00(do not put period in the end).

4) Shut down computer: Shutdown.exe -s -t 00.

5) After you click Finish, you should now have a new icon that you can double-click to immediately shutdown, restart

Hope this helps. Please reply to us with more information for further assistance.

Thanks.

 

How can I pin the restart button (or restart shortcut to task bar?

Hi

I am having graphics issues with Windows 10 (old computer/graphics card).

I'd like to pin a Restart Button (or Restart Shortcut) to task bar (as the task bar seems to be stable, when other menus are lost).

I tried Right clicking desktop, new shortcut and browsing to system32 shutdown, it allowed me to create the shortcut, then pin to task bar, when I hit it, it runs something, but does NOT shutdown computer.

 

Hi, by any chance have you run a registry cleaner of some sort?

In the control panel search field (Windows key + X, click Control Panel to launch it) type
Search
and click under Troubleshooting
Find and fix problems with Windows Search

Also do this to check for file system corruption:
From an admin command prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
chkdsk C: /F
Your PC will need to restart.
Make sure the result is clear or fixed- else do not proceed.
Post back the result, which you can get after a restart as follows:
How do I see the results of a CHKDSK that ran on boot? - Ask Leo!

 

Download and run Farbar's Service Scanner. Farbar Service Scanner Download

 

This may help you: How to Fix Microsoft Windows Search Indexer Stopped Working and Was Closed

 

First of all, Thank you for taking some time to respond to me.

Dalchina –
I went ahead and tried your first suggestion, running the search troubleshooter. It was able to identify the problem, Windows Search Service not running. It attempted to fix it, but was unsuccessful. I attached a PDF file including such details. I also did check disk command, came empty handed and found no errors.

Bro67 -
I did download Farbar Service Scanner, included the log file in my uploads (FSS.txt). Everything looks normal.

Spunk
I was unable to follow your guide thoroughly, since some parts were difficult to follow for Windows 10.



I uploaded an image with an overview of my registry settings for a specific location. I haven't touch or modify any settings, these are my defaults.


I decided to take a look into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search, inside there is a folder called data. This folder keeps reappearing and deleting itself. I figured it was some kind of glitch with windows explorer and navigated to the same location via a command prompt window. After asking it for the folder structure multiple times it showed the same thing. The folder is there for a brief moment, then it is not.

On a non related noted after rebooting lcore.exe & cnext.exe were unable to start for some reason. Still unsure if this is a coincidence or somehow related. I did just recently performed a big update on 09/28 which included the anniversary update as well.


Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online. Open/download the BRAINIAC file.
I looked further into it by reading some entries on event viewer. Please start at 10/07/2016 11:30:47 PM, the errors around this time frame seem to point at my modified location to store all of my index data. Index folder was getting quite large had to be moved back then.


Even with all of this information I am still unsure on what to do next, open to suggestions.

 

From an admin command prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
SFC /SCANNOW
Post back the result

together with the result as you previously posted of trying to start the service.

If SFC /SCANNOW is clear, and you still can't start the service, use Tweaking.com's cautious free repair tool.
Observingthe cautious stages appropriately, choose only repairs 26,27

 

After a major update, sometimes Windows Search database is corrupted. I suggest to turn on show hidden files option.
Look under: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows. The database file is Windows.edb, delete this file, restart PC, re-enable Windows Search service and let Windows rebuild the database.
NOTE: will take a while to build the index but will be up to date resulting Windows running a lot smoother.

 

Dalchina –
Last night I did run the system file checker utility. It found no problems and everything was ok. Afterwards I ran a full system virus scan, it was scanning just fine. Earlier today it disabled itself and was having a hard time turning itself back on. It looks like it did turn itself back on by itself. (I did try to turn it on via the GUI, it failed and gave me an error). Currently running Malware Bytes, full system scan.
Currently looking into the Tweaking tool. Lots of information, I have ran the test you have mentioned. I will include the log file. Currently rebooting.

Topgundcp –
I am unable to follow your advice; I am unable to get past C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\
The data folder keeps reappearing and disappearing. I believe event viewer keeps attempting to restart the service, check BRAINIAC attachment in my OneDrive link.


After a full reboot I continue to have similar behavior. The problem seems to continue

 

Don't worry too much, I have reinstalled windows. A simple reset didn't do it, so I had to go all out and do a full reset. Made some bad assumptions and it looks like more than just C drive was formatted.

 

Ok, here's how to protect yourself - your PC = and your data- and give yourself a second chance:

Creating disk images lets you restore Windows and all your disks and partitions to a previous working state, quickly and probably without technical help.

You can recover from:
- a failed disk drive (restore to a new one)
- ransomware (which encrypts your disk)
- user error
- unrecoverable problems from failed updates to problem programs
- unbootable PC (hardware faults aside)

Images also act as a full backup- you can extract files too.

You can even use images to help you move more easily and quickly to a new PC.

Imaging can even help you sleep at night knowing you have a second chance.

Many here recommend Macrium Reflect (free) as a good robust solution and more reliable than some others. It’s
- more feature rich
- more flexible
- more reliable
than Windows Backup and Restore system images.

It's well supported with videos, help and a responsive forum.

There are other such programs, free/commercial, some with simpler interfaces, but Macrium R is one of the most robust and reliable.

How long does it take?
SSD+ USB3 - maybe 15 mins for the first system image, less thereafter
HDD + USB2 - maybe 40-50 mins
That’s with little personal data, few programs installed.
- of course, depends how much you have on C:
(You can and should image all your partitions and disks)

Once you've created your first image, keep it updated with e.g. differential imaging- which images just changes from the first image, more quickly, and creates a smaller image file.

 

Thanks for the advice. I did have a backup, sadly that was one of the HDDs that was formatted during the windows reset. I don't think I can image all of my disk lol. I honestly don't have available resources to do system images. I will look into Macrium Reflect anyways