Windows 10: right after I upgraded to 1909 - File Explorer search box stops workin

This is what I'm referring to:





No problems when I was running 1809.

:)

 

File search box

Are you referring to the taskbar search box or the search box in file explorer?

Which is your Windows build?

- the troubleshooter? - I doubt that will help with problems typing in this search box.

I've not noted problems in 1903 myself, but a much more significant change in search - esp. in file explorer - occurred in 1909.

Note that from 1903, with the separation of Cortana from search, it's expected that repairs to Cortana now have no effect on the search box.

Please feel free to search the forum for
can't type in search box
This topic has been discussed many times as you can see:



See if you can find something to help starting with recent and solved threads.

Some problems have been reported with search in 1909.
Windows 10 version 1909 November 2019 update breaks File Explorer search - SlashGear
Windows 10 1909 KB4517245 Update Causes File Explorer Issues

 

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.

 

File Explorer search not working in Windows 10 1909

If I type pdf in File Explorer search I see an instant list of pdf files in that folder, selecting one in the list opens the pdf file. Typing *.pdf in search searches the folder and produces a complete list in File Explorer of the pdf files in the folder.
Version 1909 build 18363.476





This is expected behavior, by design. If you have problems with search then there is a problem with the install of Windows 10 on your device.

I would suggest system file scans, in the first instance.

Method 1:

Run DISM tool and check the issue. Please follow these steps:

a. Press Windows + X keys and click command prompt (admin). Or PowerShell (Admin).

b. Type the following command in command prompt and press Enter.

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

after the scan is complete type the following and press Enter

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

then use method 2.

Method 2:

System file checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files.

Run system file checker (SFC) and see if it helps. Please follow these steps:

a. Press Windows + X keys and click command prompt (admin). Or PowerShell (Admin).

b. Type the following command in command prompt and press Enter.

sfc /scannow

After completing the scans restart using Start > Power > Restart.