Windows 10: Nonfunctioning Explorer Search, broken permissions, indexing chaos..

Hello!

I rarely ever run into PC issues that make me desperate, but this might be just the case, specially since I'm completely and hopelessly lost about what to do..

I'd be immensely grateful if any help could be offered, or at least if I can be guided through this issue, so I can find a solution, for once..

It all started when I did accept the latest Windows update available, the Win10 update 2004, which brought something related to indexing features and whatnot..

After the update, I tried to open my PC game platforms Steam and Epic Games - both of which, along with all of their games, installed in my HDD (it's an hybrid system; SSD for system and essential software, and HDD for files, docs, games and whatnot).

However, I was hit with an absurd amount of delay, that rendered everything based on the HDD unusable. Steam and Epic Games would take up to 7 minutes to simply load and open; file transfers from/within the HDD were horribly slow, programs installed on the drive were also taking forever to open and run - whereas the SSD-based apps ran normally.

I tried minor fixes like changing power plan, running a disk check in my HDD and so, but nothing helped. I noticed, however, the 'search' feature and box of Win Explorer was different.

Then, I ended up choosing to rollback to the previous Win version, which I believe to be either 1903 or 1909.

I believe, however, that this process screwed up my indexing/searching features, and I'm at an absolute loss... The erratic timing and sluggish loading times for everything HDD based, here, persists, but now, my 'search' function in Win Explorer is not working...

I have followed the steps shown here:

[Solved] File Explorer Search Not Working in Windows 10

Fix 1: Restart File Explorer

Fix 2: Make Sure Windows Search Service Is Enabled

Fix 3: Change the Search Options

Fix 4: Allow Files to Have Contents Indexed


And right now, I'm stuck in this 'fix' here - Fix 5: Rebuild Search Index





It's taking quite a while to load.


My SSD and HDD (C: and E:, respectively) are my main directories. I need to fully make use of the search function for those.

After all these fixes, not only the search function seems slower (as well as opening folders and having them load the contentes), but, specially for the E: drive, the search isn't working at all.

The indexing panel's troubleshooting indicates there are Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories affecting me.

Plus, for some strange reason, when it comes to all of the admin-perms folders I used to have access to, I'm now having to re-set my profile as their owner/proprietor.

TLDR.: - I'm hopelessly lost and afraid, and I don't know what to do, about the slow HDD, about these messed up permissions, and about the non functioning search feature.

My Win Explorer is completely screwed. I can't even load files from it on other programs without getting stuck in the 'Working on it..' message.

Any help would be extremely appreciated - I'm in utter despair. *cry

:)

 

Windows Search and Indexing Broken


These are my permissions on C:



















I have some strange Unknown users. I think they may be from the time I install MSSql Server. I'm not sure.
And I don't have Administrator added. When I try to add I get this:



Red icon with cross.

And the Owner was Unknown something, so I changed it to my Account.

 

Windows Search and Indexing Broken


Hi, ok, you're right.. should have looked more carefully at the permisssions issue.

Good you've made some progress. Note that Users needs to be indexed, else searching Settings is s-l-o-w... (Or at least the relevant part of Users, whatever that might be).

Just wondering about your permissions on C: given you've had to deal with one permissions problem.

Mine on C: is this:

 

Windows Search and Indexing Broken


After upgrading to TH2 I had an issue with windows search. The service wouldn't start at all.

I managed to run the Windows Search service.
I had to delete the Key RebuildIndex and change value of key SetupCompletedSuccessfully to 1.





Now that the search service works I have another problem. The indexing is not working:





In Advanced options the Index Location is blank and the button Select New is grayed out.





When I run the troubleshooter I get : Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories -- Not fixed





The owner of folders C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Search and C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Search\Data is SYSTEM. Administrator and my user name are added with Full Control.
What could be the problem?