Windows 10: Windows Search directory permissions fail

My Windows Search bar has stopped responding altogether. It doesn't open at all. I have tried the search & indexing troubleshooter, and it recognizes there's an issue with the directory permissions but fails to fix it.

I researched from around the internet the possible root causes of the problem. I have now tried the following:

1. Change the permissions to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data. This directory says I don't have access to it, but the popup offers to give access as my account is an administrator account. When I click ok, it lets me in. But the search still doesn't start to work. These permissions go away every time I restart the computer -> something is up.
2. I thought Cortana might have messed with something and I reset it from the Settings. Didn't have any effect.
3. I thought maybe the search index has corrupted. I proceeded to reset the search index. It didn't have any effect.
4. I tried changing the ownership of the directory to myself. Didn't help. Every time I reset the computer, the ownership goes away -> see point 1.
5. I restarted the search service multiple times to see if it wakes up. No effect.

I would be thankful for any tips on how to solve this issue. Do I have to perform a factory reset on my computer to get this fixed?

My laptop is Lenovo Yoga 920 with Windows 10 Home, Intel i7, 1TB SSD, 16GB Memory.

submitted by /u/alasaarela
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:)

 

Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories

Having a similar problem after installing the 1709 update (Outlook 2016 complains that search cannot be completed). I've tried the sfc solution suggested below and also rebuilt the index.

Oddly the permissions on my Windows search data directory appear to be the same as on another machine where search works correctly.

 

Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories

Update: Running a repair of my Office 2016 installation appears to have fixed the problem, at least for Outlook.

 

Incorrect Permissions on Windows Search directories - widespread problem, no solution?

System

Windows 10, upgraded from Windows 8.1 Pro

Problem

SearchIndexer at random times takes one of the CPU cores to max power, causing the cooling fan to go at full speed.

Question

I read more than 10 discussion on this and other forums describing similar problems with Windows Search directory permissions.

None did contain a clear solution.

Please provide a clear and genuine solution procedure.

Additional Information

- Only the 'StartUp' folder is being indexed

- Search and Indexing Troubleshoot report gives the following message:

Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories

Not fixed

When permissions on the Windows Search data directories are set incorrectly, the search service might not be able to access or update the computer's search index. This can result in slow searches or incomplete search results.

Data directory permissions

Permissions on Windows Search data directory

NT-AUTORITÄT\SYSTEM

Data directory permissions

Permissions on Windows Search data directory

Ownership and permission information

Local Disk C

- Owner: TrustedInstaller

- Full Control: Administrators, SYSTEM

C:/ProgramData

- Owner: SYSTEM

- Full Control: SYSTEM, Administrators

C:/ProgramData/Microsoft

- Owner: SYSTEM

- Full Control: SYSTEM, Administrators

C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Search

- Owner: SYSTEM

- Full Control: SYSTEM, Administrators

C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Search

- Owner: SYSTEM

- Full Control: SYSTEM, Administrators

C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Search/Data

- Owner: SYSTEM

- Full Control: SYSTEM, Administrators