Windows 10: Search using WinKey+query

Win10 1607 doesn't return search results unless connected to the Internet when you use the WinKey+type a search query method

Once connected, results are returned in the Cortana box

NOT Connected Connected




and results are still returned even after I disconnect.

This was an issue in the early Tech preview releases that included Cortana. I will feed MS

While I'm at it, I haven't found a way to search local only - i.e. exclude Web searches. Yeah, they put all of those nice icons on the results page, but I only EVER want to search this machine - I can Google or Bing on the Web..

Am I missing some setting?

:)

 

Windows search and indexing not working after clean Win10x64 install

Check the Windows Search Data Directory setting in the registry:

Press WinKey + R, and type in:

cmd /k reg query "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search"

Copy the output and paste here.

By default, the DataDirectory is set to %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Search\Data\

 

Win 10 problem

Try Winkey+s key to be able to auto type a search term.

If you want a more typical menu list use Winkey+x

 

Hi, for the very limited Cortana search (indexed files only, executables -exe, bat, cmd...- excluded), you can e.g. click More, and documents for an indexed document search only, videos for videos etc.

For searching for files, folders, and indexed file content, there's the search in explorer. That's indexed and non-indexed, except content is indexed only.

Then there's the good, useful, rational way.

Use e.g.
Ultrasearch
Everything (by void tools)
Locate32

All freeware, instant results for all disk content which is indexed much more quickly than Windows search.

Other options exist too.

 

Explorer Search serves me well (after learning the query syntax *Wink) and dir has never failed me.
It's just that I've become accustomed to using WinKey+query to find and launch not-so-frequently-used start menu items. It's easier and faster than opening Start, scrolling down the list and dbl clicking.

Now I can't WinKey+query unless I connect to the Internet . This issue resurfaced with the changes made to Cortana and or Start. I can live with it for a while.

Just a point - indexing only augments Windows search. The index allows search to quickly find file properties or content. A common mistake is to index everything thinking it makes search faster - it actually slows it down due to the size of the index.
Indexing, in Windows Search terms, an exe makes no sense *Wink

You can index any folder you want (Indexing Options) ... placing your batch files in an indexed folder and Shazammmmm! *Biggrin

I use Libraries which automatically adds the folder contents to the index by default. Other than Start and Favorites, not much else is indexed.

 

Hi, Win key + ? used to open feedback.. it doesn't do anything now for me. Are those the keys you mean?

(Indexing can be used to include text file content - but Cortana search results on disk files/folders are limited to what's indexed- nothing found outside that range - or is your experience different? Another well-known member confirmed you can't find exe's with Cortana search)

 

Nothing to do with feedback hub..
WinKey+F

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...oard-shortcuts (change dropdown to Win10)

I'll boot up Win10 in a bit to test exe, but this thread is more about the inability to find anything using WinKey+query unless connected to the Internet. If possible, I'd like to keep focused on the one issue *Wink

 

..understood. Sorry, can't help with that as it's not behaviour I see.

(I use Win key + S to launch Cortana...
Win key + F now I've installed an app 'Feedback Hub' launches that, so presume that has adopted it.



Win key + ? used to launch (pre anniversary) a feedback screen).

 

Thanks dal ... I appreciate you taking the time to look at the issue.

Every machine is set up differently (I don't have a constant connection and I turned off as much as I could in Cortana)

I'll give WinKey+S a shot, but that's not really how I want to search (the previous build WinKey+query is what I want).
You can't always get what you want though *Wink

Losing this function is regression (as is the inability to turn off searching the web - probably related - it was a long time ago in TP builds)

I always find good stuff when I read your posts ... but this issue is in MS's domain

Bill
.

 

Agreed, Cortana settings are annoying. I don't want to get annoyed, so I avoid it. (Thanks by the way).

Win key + Q also launches Cortana. (Off-topic - Win key + W is interesting)



Internet connected - normal





This is displayed for a few minutes after disconnecting ethernet and then Winkey + S
Note the inverted exclamation mark after Try





This is displayed after a longer time



In all circumstances search works

 

Excellent dal - thanks for your diligence *Biggrin

It's funny ... as I parse your post and try WinKey+query - it works!
Yeah ... great .... I'm connected and I know it works then - LOL

An interesting thing is that even after I disconnect WinKey+query works
...until the machine sleeps or I sign-out

I tried forcing a sleep but the query still worked (must be a timeout or buffer clear thing)
When I sign out and back in the issue is present again - WinKey+query search returns a blank box

The key seems to be that Cortana search works when connected and for a while after disconnecting if your machine doesn't sleep or you don't sign-out. My sleep test used the power button and I didn't let it sleep long (less than a minute).

If you're willing to try one more test on your machine - great, but you don't have to for my sake.

Disconnect and sign-out, the try a query when you sign-back in
- you might have to change your connection so that it doesn't automatically connect - WiFi
- Ethernet is easier - just pull the plug *Wink

If it works for you ... I've seen things work on one machine and not another. I'm convinced it's MS .. especially since the query works when disconnected after being connected

I don't think Cortana is very useful on Desktops/Laptops and it has broken some basic features like search for people like me who are not 24/7 connected and who do not sign-in with a MS account.
Cortana might be useful on mobiles - can't say.

 

Tried disconnect internet incl. WiFi/log off/log on
- Cortana showed the 'no interests' version - but found files.
No problems launching Cortana

N.B. I use an MS account.. not local.

(What worries me about win 10 is that for people coming first time to Windows, they expect things to be rational -the start menu should just work, search boxes should behave as you'd expect- lacking the comparison with XP/'7 etc they would be terribly confused).

 

Thanks, you've gone above and beyond the call.

Maybe it is the difference between Local and MSaccount ... something for me to try anyway.

Yeah, XP to Win10 is a learning curve. I tell people Right click everything ... everywhere - nothing is where you expect it.

That's what I did for a few months going from Win7 to Win8. I was more frustrated by not finding things where they were (especially network stuff) than by the cosmetic changes ... I was not put off by the missing start button and actually liked the Win8.1 Windows menu (I refuse to call it Start)
*Roflmao2

 

.. if you start with the Windows start menu - you'll soon stop. My view.. *chuckle