Windows 10: Settings not appearing when I search for them in search bar

Hi
I Just bought a new XPS 13 (lowest end model) that came with Microsoft 10 pre-installed (bought it from Microsoft store). my problem is that I cannot search for settings in the main search bar or even the settings search bar, the settings search bar simply doesn't work at all, and to double check that this wasn't a windows 10 issue I tried it out on a friend's Laptop and it worked fine. I took screenshots of both my Laptop and my friend's.

My Laptop:







searching for "add or remove" brings up nothing, even in the settings search


My friend's Laptop:







as you can see it works fine on my friend's laptop bringing up the settings i was searching for

I appreciate any help

thank you

:)

 

Apps Wont Open When I Search for Them

Hi everyone,

I just started having this problem where when I searched in the search bar, for example, microsoft store, the store app would pop up, but when I clicked on it, nothing happened. I am aware that the same or a similar problem has already been discussed but
the solution provided did not work for me. This is getting really annoying because I can't open any apps that are not already pinned to my taskbar. I can right click, for example, on the microsoft store app, and it gives me the option to pin to start. When
I go to start however, it's empty.

I appreciate any help that I can get, if it works.

Thank you.

 

Apps Wont Open When I Search for Them

Hi Philip,

To further assist you with the issue regarding apps, can you share with us which troubleshooting have you done so far?

Have you tried the following:

Method 1: Install any uninstalled updates to Windows. Go to Settings >
Update & Security > Check for Updates.

Method 2: Date and Time settings.

• Check for
  connection problems.
• Check if you are signed in with a Microsoft account.
• Check Date and Time settings.
  
  Go to Settings > Time & Language.

Method 3: Run System File Checker (SFC) and Restore health.

• Run SFC.
• Use
  DISM tool.

Method 4: Windows Store PowerShell command.

• Click Start, type PowerShell.
• Right-click PowerShell, and then click Run as administrator.
• If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click
  Continue.
• Copy and paste or type the command powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml and hit
  Enter.
• Reboot the computer to take effect the changes.

These are the most common steps in fixing app issues. If you have done any or all of the following, let us know.

Keep us posted.

 

On my computer it seemed to take a while to figure out where everything was I was seeing dots at the top of the search while searching I left my computer running all night to let it figure stuff out, You might want to run Windows Update a few times, I never had the problem of the settings page being empty though. Also when you search for something it may be painfully slow until everything is indexed

 

oh okay I'll try thanks

 

hi again, I've tried what you suggested to no avail. I'm completely puzzled as to what could cause this

 

Ever heard of a 'lemon'? Since another pc can perform your desired tasks...maybe this not an OS problem!

 

this does seems like a software issue, I also realized one difference between our two PCs
My friend's laptop originally had Windows 8.1 and was upgraded to 10
While my one had windows 10 pre-installed

 

Yea.........I'm finding this annoying issue also in 10....also did in 8.1 as well.

 

Rebuild the search index. How to: Rebuilding r search index in Windows 10

 

Any progress or fix on this? Having the exact same issue on a couple of Thinkpad L440s upgraded from 7 pro to 10 pro.
Called up MS support and they guided me through rebuilding the index ...to no avail.

I can search for apps and programs, no problem. Anything that has to do with system settings ..nope.

Upgraded a custom desktop from 7pro to 10 pro at the same time and no problems there. My Surface Pro 3 also went from 8.1 to 10 without a hitch.

 

did you click settings icon , to check the settings

 

There are no settings there that are relevant.
This forum has more info and solutions that might work for some users, unfortunately not for me.
start menu - Windows 10 Settings not indexed - Super User

 

yea the settings wheel just has cortana and web options that are irrelevant. I tried doing a complete rebuild of the index as suggested and nothing has worked yet

 

so no solution yet, i tried making a folder with shortchuts of settings and adding that folder to the index and still nothing