Windows 10: Search window opens when I try "print" to a pdf file

For some time, Windows 10's Search function has been behaving in a totally wacky way.

Explorer gets STUCK in "search" mode for no good reason.

example: I print a file to .pdf, and rather than opening a "save" window from which to choose where to save the file, the computer says it is a SEARCH window. It then tells me WHY? that no such file or folder exists, and would I like to try another search?
But I wasn't searching. I was printing to a .pdf file from a New York Times article, or from another website where there is a text I want to keep.


It's also not uncommon when I DO try to search for a document that the Explorer resists doing the search. And if it fails to find what I want, and I try to move to a different location on the drive to look, it insists that it is conducting the old search which I cannot escape from without shutting Explorer altogether.

Search intrusions like these, and I have no explanation for them.
IF someone KNOWS about this, please let us know.

Please, no reason to reply with: "did you run [the usual list of Microsoft utilities like Checkdisk" etc. We know about those general file system repairs.

and p.s. Corona of course is not disabled, but definitely turned off as far as it's possible to do so.


Thanks!

:)

 

Unable to Print PDF files

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We understand your concern as you are unable to print a PDF file. In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below:

• What is the Windows 10 version and Build installed? (Type
  winver in Windows search/Run command)
  
• What is the make and model of the printer & PC?
  
• Does this issue specific to a particular PDF file or all PDF file in the USB?
  
• What is the program that you are using to open the PDF file in order to print?
  
• Did you try printing any PDF file that is saved on the PC?
  
• What happens when you try to print, do you get any error message/code?

Meanwhile, we would suggest you to perform these steps from this article:

Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows 10



Also, if you are using the Adobe application to print the PDF file, refer this article from Adobe:
Troubleshoot PDF printing in Acrobat and Reader



We await your response.



Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

microsoft print to pdf files will not open after saving

We suggest that you save the PDF files on your device and check if the issue persists. You may also want to associate the PDF files to Microsoft Edge as the default program to make sure that you have a default application that will open all of your PDF files.
Here are the steps:

• Search for Default Programs.
• Go to Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
• Select the .pdf file type and then click the Change program button on the upper right of the
  Set Associations window.
• Choose Microsoft Edge and then click OK.

Let us know how it goes.

 

Microsoft print to PDF cannot open the file in edge

Hi Steve,

I realize the inconvenience you are facing with Windows 10. I will certainly help you.

Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• Is this issue is specific to particular created PDF file?
• What happens when you tries to open the created PDF file?
• Do you get any error message/code? If yes, then provide the complete error message/code
• Have installed any application which supports PDF files?

Meanwhile, I suggest you to perform the below methods:

Method 1: Update the Microsoft Print to PDF drivers from the device manager

Below link is an article on: How to update the drivers.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...566-b983195752c1/update-drivers-in-windows-10

Note: Navigate to go Device manager >
Print queues > Microsoft Print to PDF

Method 2: Disable Print to PDF feature and enable it again.

• Press Windows Key + S and enter windows features. Select Turn Windows features on or off from the menu.
• When Windows Features window opens, locate Microsoft Print to PDF and disable it. Click OK to save changes.
• Restart your PC.
• When the PC restarts, repeat the same steps and enable Microsoft Print to PDF again.
• Click OK to save changes.

Note: After enabling the feature again, Print to PDF should be working again without any issues.

Please keep us posted with the status of the issue.

Thank you.