Windows 10: Start Menu Search Can't Find Installed Apps

I've noticed now on multiple computers I've installed Windows 10 on, that a quick win-key search isn't able to bring up installed apps. I'm sure this isn't how it's meant to be, and that there must be a fix... right?

:)

 

Start Menu Search Doesn't Find Installed Apps

Just migrated to a new PC and re-installed all my apps. In many installs there's an option (default checked) to 'Add to Start Menu' which I always use. On some older apps, I navigate to the executable and right click and do an 'Add to Start Menu' I see
the apps appear in the start menu.

However the way I launch most of my apps is hit the start key and then start typing the application now. On my old PC which also was running Windows 10, it always found the app. On this new PC, despite seeing the app in the Start Menu, it doesn't find
it.

In my Search Indexing Settting (Control Panel > Indexing Options) 'Start Menu' is included as one of the locations.

I am perplexed.

 

Start Menu Search Doesn't Find Installed Apps

Hello,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.



We do understand your concern and we will be happy to help you regarding this.



I request you to try the troubleshooter in the following article below:

Troubleshoot problems opening the Start menu or Cortana

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/get-help-windows-start-menu



I hope this helps you. If you have any further queries, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you.



Thank you.

 

Hmm.. after a couple of restarts, trying it again now, it seems to be working. Problem solved, it would seem.

 

Nope. My start menu is broken. Search just doesn't seem to be indexing the contents of the "All apps" folders. At least not in a timely fashion. Being able to launch an app by searching for it is all the more essential now that we're stuck with this low density, large icon arrangement (can that be changed, by the way?)...

What can be done to get Windows to index the start menu apps in real-time? It's been at least an hour and one system restart since I installed the latest unsearchable app.

 

I have the same problem. Did you find a solution?