Windows 10: Windows 11 Pro, 23H2, Using File Explorer Search Function trying to search file with the...

Windows 11 Pro, 23H2, Using File Explorer Search Function. I have several thousand text type files all of them contain some number in the file name. I am trying to search of any file with the specific digits 0004 in the file name. The search finds files with 0004 in the name but also returns any file name with a 0 or a 4 in the file name. How can I get ONLY 0004 as the result. I have already tried usng quotes for exact search but I get the same results, all files with 0 and 4 in the name.

:)

 

File Explorer Search Not Working


I am trying to search in File Explorer (Windows Explorer, My Computer) and it will not find anything. I can copy text from a name in the list and paste it in the search box and it still finds nothing. I have looked at the suggestions that have been posted and nothing I find that is relative to this works. Anyone have any suggestions? I am running Win 10 Pro on an I3 coustom desktop computer.

 

Windows11 File Explorer automatically search not navigating.

Hello Rudy L,



Welcome to Microsoft Community.



It sounds like your File Explorer's search function may have been changed or updated to use a different search method. Here are a few things you can try to get your previous search functionality back:

1.Reset File Explorer settings: You can try resetting the File Explorer settings to default by following these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and click on the "Options" tab at the top.
   
2. In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "View" tab.
   
3. Scroll down and click on "Reset Folders" under "Advanced settings".
   
4. Click "Yes" when prompted to confirm the action.
   
5. Restart File Explorer and see if the search function works as expected.
   

2.Check search settings: You can also check the search settings to see if anything has been changed. Follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and click on the "Options" tab at the top.
   
2. In the "Folder Options" window, click on the "Search" tab.
   
3. Make sure that "Don't use the index when searching in file folders for system files" is unchecked.
   
4. Click "OK" to save the changes and restart File Explorer.
   

3.Reset index function

1. Search for "index" in the taskbar to open "index options".
   
2. Click "Advanced" and then "Rebuild".
   
3. Then click "OK" and wait for the index function to rebuild.
   

I hope the above solution can help you solve this problem.

Best regards,

Mitchell - | Microsoft community support expert from MSFT

 

Search Function on File Explorer is not Working

Hi,

In response to your questions:

1. Did you make any changes to your PC prior to this issue?

Not that I am aware of.

2. Can you type in the search bar when you do not click on the Start button?

The search button on the task bar works - it is the search box on file explorer that is not functioning





3. What troubleshooting steps have to tried to fix the issue?

Confirmed file explorer options are set to default

Indexing Options - the only exclusion is against OS(C and that is Data; AppData; AppData

4. Does the issue occur when you are performing or running certain specific in the background?

The issue occurs even when only 1 File Explorer Window is open and task manager is not showing other programs running.

Re Method One - the search box in the control panel does not work. I opened via viewing as icons

and used both the default Files don't appear in search results and Search Function on File Explorer is not working as both a user and an administrator which led to explore additonal information which led to this website.

Re Method Two - response was

• 
  Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  

Windows Updates show the device is up to date.

Previously, as I typed into the search box, it would start searching at the first keystroke and now nothing.

Any more help will be appreciated.