Windows 10: Unable to Search in windows 10

All searching on my Windows 10 (upgraded from Windows 7) is painfully slow and often does not return any results. This is particularly noticeable in Outlook. This is what I have done so far:
1. Checked Control Panel> Indexing Options and the Indexed locations box is empty. In the Advanced Options, I am unable to “Select New” or to enter a location.
2. Clicked Advanced and then Rebuild, I got the message “Rebuilding the index might take a long time….”. At the top of the Indexing Options it says, “Indexing is not running”.
3. Checked Control Panel> Administrative Tools > Services and tried to start the Windows Search service and got the message, “Windows could not start the Windows Search service on local Computer. Error 3: The system cannot find the path specified.”
4. Navigated to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search, except that the Search folder is constantly disappearing and (presumably) re-creating itself.
5. Run SFC / scannow, which did not detect any problems.
6. Tried to use Microsoft Fixit http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_search/en-us but it does not support Windows 10*Sad

The OS is on an SSD and prior to this happening I had a SATA HDD as well but that is not working and so may very well be the cause of the problem. I dont really need the second disk as I am on a network and dont therefore need any more local storage.

I've read a lot on subject this subject and still haven't found a fix that works for me. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

:)

 

Unable to type in the search bar in windows 10

Hi,

We understand that you are having an issue using the search feature in Windows 10. There are several factors that we have to consider in troubleshooting this issue. In order for us to efficiently assist you, we just have few questions for you:

• Were there any changes made to your computer prior to the issue?
• Were you able to install all pending updates in your computer?
• Have you tried running the Start menu troubleshooter?
• Have you tried creating a new local administrator account?

Regards.

 

Unable to type in the search bar in windows 10

I can only type one character in the search box in windows 10 and the box closes.
I have tried

• 
  Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  
• 
  $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest
  
• 
  C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
  
• 
  SFC /SCANNOW
  
• 
  Stopped and restarted cortana
  
• 
  Checked windows search service to insure it was running
  
• 
  I can past words into the search bar from note pad and it seems to work that way
  
• 
  It seems to work ok under a different user profile.
  
• 
  window version 1607 (OSBuild 14393.1066)
  

 

Thats corrupt system files or a bad registry. Most people have had major issues upgrading to Windows 10 Version 1511.

A secondary drive more than likely won't cause any Operating System errors unless somehow there were system files on the disk, which is very unlikely as Windows can run only on one drive, so that rules that out.

Have you opened an elevated command prompt and do a chkdsk?

Chkdsk C: /f /r press Y to accept the scan at restart. Please note, your percentage may stop somewhere between 10 and 20%. The scan is still running and can take an hour or so depending on your hard drive size.

If that doesn't solve your problem, you may need to revert back to Windows 7, if its a recent upgrade 30 days or less.

Click on each one in order.
Start
Settings
Update & Recovery
Recovery
Return to Windows 7.

The computer will revert back to the way the system was before the upgrade.

 

Thanks for your response. I omitted to mention that I had already run chdsk. However, I ran it again and that did not fix the problem.
I would rather not have to roll back, however, realise that may be the only way. I would be interested in hearing any other suggestions.

When searching in Outlook, the helpful message is, "Something went wrong and your search could not be completed". Searching for a program from the start menu appears to work OK. When searching for a file (or folder) the message is, "Something went wrong. Try this search again". When searching from Explorer, it just says "working on it" and then, "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. click to turn on the index..." Making another search after clicking to turn on the index and making another search gives the same messages.

 

Hi CRH,
If you haven't tried using DISM, give it a shot:DISM - Repair Windows 10 Image - Windows 10 Forums

 

DISM won't work unless sfc sees integrity issues and system health issues with system files. Although you can try it.

I had a Windows 8.1 installation, had some issues, and was suggested sfc and dism. Sfc found no issues, and dism said I didn't have corrupt media.

 

OK, so I've tried sfc and DISM and both said all OK.

 

instead of a rollback you might want to try the repair install .good luck .
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forums