Windows 10: Windows search problems

Hi everyone,

I have been having problems with Windows search. When I search for a file (in file explorer or via the start menu), it doesn't find it even though I know it's there. I'm not sure when this started to happen (maybe an update is the cause?)

Things I have tried:

- Run DISM.exe (Scanhealth and Restorehealth), SFC and restart
- Disabling Windows search service, restart then enabling / starting it again

None of this worked *Sad Also, when I go to "Indexing options" it says "Waiting to receive indexing status" but nothing ever happens, it shows no indexed locations even after waiting for a long while.

Any ideas?

:)

 

Quick Access not searching Pictures folder


Summary, that last suggestion didn't work.

• I moved the pictures to another folder temporarily.

• Then I tried to remove the Pictures folder with option one at Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials. Even after rebooting, the Pictures folder remained.
• So I tried using option two. Same thing: reboot >> Pictures folder still there.

• Since there were no troubleshooting steps for this scenario, just for the heck of it, I ran through the restore steps. Copied some pictures into the Pictures folder, ran a Quick Access search and initial problem remains: Searching all of QA doesn't find any files in Pictures folder, running search on just the Pictures folder does. I want to run a global search and find matching files in any/all of the Documents, Music, Videos, and Pictures folders.

That article dates from 2015 and I'm guessing is out of date. I hope it didn't create potential future problems in my registry.

Bottom line: I'm still looking for a fix.

 

Edge Search Does Not Permit Change of Region


I got these suggestions from the Microsoft Community forum.No. 1 worked for me:

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community. I am glad to assist you on this.
We have reproduce the issue here and we are able to access non-regional search for google using Microsoft Edge.
I would suggest you to try the below steps and check if it helps.
Step 1:
Clear browsing data option of Microsoft Edge and check if you face the issue. To do so perform the steps below.

1. Click on the More actions icon next to the feedback icon present on top right corner of the Project Spartan homepage.
2. Select Settings and click on Choose what to clear.
3. Check the boxes Browsing history, Cookies and saved website data and Cached data and files and click on Clear.

Step 2:
I suggest you to create a new user account and check if the issue occurs.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Choose Accounts and then select Family and other users.
3. Select add someone else on this PC.
4. Enter a user name and hit next.
5. Click on Finish.
6. Sign out from the current Account and Log into the new account.

Step 3:
It could also happen because of network issue. I suggest you to try with different network connection and check if it helps.

 

Search Windows Problems

Hi Stevens,

As you are facing issues with Windows Search bar, we will help you in resolving it.

Do let us know the version of Windows 10 installed on your device?

Press Windows + R keys from the keyboard, type
winver, and press Enter to know the Windows version installed.

Step 1: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.


If you're having problems locating specific files, folders, or other items on your computer, try using the Search and Indexing troubleshooter to fix the problem. It makes sure that the Windows Search service is running, and checks
to see whether you have the correct permissions to search all the directories on your computer.

Follow the steps given below to run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

• Type Troubleshooting in the
  Search box from the desktop.
• Select the Troubleshooting option.
• Select View All option and select the
  Search and Indexing.
• Click on Next to perform the
  Search and Indexing troubleshooter and follow the steps.

Step 2: Also, I suggest you to run SFC scan and check if it helps.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. If a
Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected.

Follow the below steps:

• Right click on the Start button, click on
  Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type “sfc /scannow” without the quotes and hit
  Enter.
• After the scan, restart the computer and check for the issue.

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of accessing the Windows Search bar for further assistance.

Thank you.