Windows 10: Search results from USB drive not displayed within the Start menu

Hello, I have a quick question about Windows search, specifically about Windows search when you use the Start menu i.e. just press the Windows key and then type in the search term or Windows + S which opens the Windows search window . In my experience, this is a quick way to find files stored on a computer's internal hard drive, but not files stored on a permanently attached USB hard drive. To find files on a permanently connected USB hard drive, you always have to use File Explorer first. In my case, this is not due to the fact that the connected USB hard disk drive is not yet indexed.

:)

 

Start menu Search can't click on search results leading to Settings pages + Settings search results not loading

Hello Abhishek,

We regret the inconvenience and at the same time we appreciate the effort you have put in to resolve the issue. Let me assist you further.

From the description provided, I understand that you are experiencing functionality issues with Windows in the following areas:

• Search Results in the Settings pane do not work.
• The Search results through Search Bar in Windows is unresponsive or sporadic when it comes to basic functionality.

As an initial recommendation, I suggest you to try the Search and Indexing troubleshooter to fix the problem. It makes sure that the Windows Search service is running, and checks to see whether you have the correct permissions
to search all the directories on your computer.

Follow the steps given below to run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

• 
  1. Type Troubleshooting in the Search box
  from the desktop.
  
  2. Select the Troubleshooting option.
  
  3. Select View All option and select the Search
  and Indexing.
  
  4. Click on Next to perform the Search
  and Indexing troubleshooter and follow the steps.
  

Now, follow the below methods and check if it helps.

Method 1

If no corrupted system files were found in the previous state or were irrecoverable, then I suggest you to try the following steps to deploy the DISM command lines:

• 
  Press Windows key + X.
  
• 
  Click command prompt (Run as administrator).
  
• 
  In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type the following commands. Press Enter key after each command:
  
  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
  
  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  
  Important: When you run this command, DISM uses Windows Update to provide the files that are required to fix corruptions.
  
• 
  To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter.
  
  Click
  here for more information about running the DISM Tool.
  

Method 2

Lets try to narrow down the issue, if the issue is at a specific user level.
I suggest you to check if the same issue occur when logged in through a different Local Administrator user account.



Follow the steps mentioned below:

• Assuming that you are already logged on to your user account in Windows 10, click the Start button.
• From the Start menu, click your name from the top of the left pane.
• From the displayed options click Sign out.
• From the login screen, click to the different user account you want to switch to.

However, if you do not have a separate user account, I suggest you to create another Local administrator user account by referring to the Microsoft article here: Set
up accounts.

Kindly keep us posted on the results for us to be able to assist you further.

Thank You.

 

Start menu Search can't click on search results leading to Settings pages + Settings search results not loading

After I installed the Creator's Update (Version 1703, OS Build 15063.296), I found some results in start menu search being not clickable (i.e., no repsonse when clicking on them) while other results being fine.

I tried everything I could find by google:

• Restart Cortana through task manager
• Restart WSearch service through services.msc
• Rebuild windows search index
• Reinstall/Re-register windows apps through Dism.exe
• Modify windows registry

Nothing workable.

However, when logged in with another account, I found the start menu search working fine.

Then I read this article (SOLVED: Video: How To Hard Reset or Remove Cortana In Windows 10 – Up & Running Technologies, Tech How To's) and follow his steps 1-3:

• Create a new administrator on your Window 10 and sign in as that user
• Delete (or rename) C:\Users\<PROBLEM USER>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy
• Sign back in as the PROBLEM USER
• Open PowerShell as an admin and type (or paste)
  
  Add-AppxPackage -Path “C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\Appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register

I didn't walk through all 4 steps, cause when I logged in with the "PROBLEM USER" I found everthing was okay.

I guess the start menu search (or cortana search) works as following procedures:

• Build a private database, including start menu programs, control panel items, etc.
• When users try to search something, it starts from the private database
• Then it shows the results queried from WSearch databases

Hence, if something wrong with the items in its private database, the result is not clickable. Clear its private database will fix the problems.

 

Start menu Search can't click on search results leading to Settings pages + Settings search results not loading

Thanks a lot, I've been experiencing this issue for a long time and it was driving me crazy!

The only point is, I didn't do step 4 because after I logged back to my user account the problem was solved.

It seems that deleting the Cortana folder triggers some kind of reindexing job which solves this issue.

I hope Microsoft comes up with a built-in solution for this scenario that allows users to call the reindex operation for Cortana. or at least they can make this as part of the troubleshooting options.

Once again thanks, you've made my day.