Windows 10: Search bar in windows file explorer doesn't work

The search bar in my files explorer won't actually search anything, just to make it clear it isn't the search bar on the left but the smaller one on the right that won't actually do anything/highlight anything Screenshot - ae72785c768d4df8a79ce4627f494350 - Gyazo
I used ctrl+f and it doesn't help. Any help would be great, thanks.

:)

 

lost excel file

Windows Update normally does not delete your personal data files. What may have happened is the shortcuts to it in your program were deleted.

First, try using the search bar (upper right corner) in File Explorer to search for the file name.

If that doesn't work, try searching for the file name in the Win 10 search.

If that doesn't work, I can give you the name of a file name search tool you can try.

 

File Explorer

File Explorer search doesn't seem to work. I enter what I want to search for in the search box, and the search options appear on the tool bar, but the search isn't executed. Is there something else I
need to do to initiate the search?

 

I suspect your problem might be indexing. There's a simple fix "Windows 10 taskbar is not working"! No need to mess around with your Registry.Navigate to this folder,c:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\1033\And DELETE the file: StructuredQuerySchema.bin:

Read more: Windows 10 Taskbar Not Working (Fixed)

 

The bar on the left is not a Search Bar. It is an Address Bar and is there for you to enter a path to go to. It has been that way since they started to use Windows Explorer, which is written from the code for IE. At some point, that will change to where Edge will become its base, which means time to use an alternative with more power rich features.

 

They stated about the Explorer Address bar, not the actual Search feature. Nothing is broken, just user error.

The link you posted is about the Taskbar, which is the bar for the Start Menu, icons for programs open, and the area for the clock, volume, etc. Forcing Windows Explorer has always been the solution and the problem when you do a registry edit or SSDP & UPNP used to get hung up with XP.

 

I did kinda said that it wasn't the search bar (address bar, samething i guess) on the left that was the issue but the one on the right. Also I have already tried restarting windows explorer in task manager but it doesn't seem to fix anything. Also I placed a gyazo link to clarify what im trying to show.




Screenshot - 292a5cbf048ef2a94e2994e24b4a7fe2 - Gyazo i inputted 'dark souls' into the search bar but it doesn't highlight nor direct me to it.

 

Hey horizonseoulo,
If you haven't already try Troubleshoot ... Settings > Updates & Security > Troubleshoot (on the left) > Scroll down till you find Search and Indexing.

 

Thanks, but the troubleshooter didn't pick anything up.

 

Troubleshoot should have caught this, but I'd double check that Windows Search is actually running.
winkey + s > type in services > click on services in list > scroll down to windows search

Note: I'd also check Event Viewer to see if it has any errors/warnings about Search

 

I just saw that. Have you tried to reset Indexing and the Search and Index services? There are better utilities out there that do a better job in looking for files that are not in the regular user folder. Try Cerebo. It is modeled off of Mac OS Spotlight. Windows 10 Tip: Cerebro is a great Apple Spotlight alternative for Windows 10 - MSPoweruser Wox is another. This is some more. 10 Best Free Search Tools for Windows 10

Windows does lack when it comes to having a proper search. Indexer only cares about what is in your user folder and favorites, than what is on the drive.

 

I got Cerebro thanks for the help