Windows 10: Windows Search returning no results

Discus and support Windows Search returning no results in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; Windows Search returning no results on one of my external harddrives. I've trawled through pages of Google's advice and I have already: Tried... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by 3mptylord, Oct 14, 2015.

  1. 3mptylord Win User

    Windows Search returning no results


    Windows Search returning no results on one of my external harddrives.

    I've trawled through pages of Google's advice and I have already:

    • Tried indexing the HDD and rebuilding.
    • Non-indexing and rebuilding.
    • Indexing only specific folders on the HDD and rebuilding.
    • Specifically disabling indexing for this drive in the drive's properties.
    • Checked that I have the appropriate permissions on the drive (they are identical to my other HDDs).

    Crude example of my problem:

    • I am looking for the following file, A:\Example\test.txt.
    • I am inside the A:\Example folder.
    • I search for "test", "*" or "txt".
    • It says there are no results.

    And it says "no results" instantly - it doesn't appear to even try.

    I do not have a second drive with sufficient space to move the contents to do a format - so I'm looking for non-destructive solutions.

    Based on solutions I've been proposed since posting this thread:
    • Does the HDD work on another computer? Yes. While searching on that computer it says "searching non-indexed locations will be slow", as I would expect. The issue must be with my computer and not the HDD.
    • Does outright disabling Windows Search in the Services do anything? Yes - I can now search the drive, but it is painfully slow.

    :)
     
    3mptylord, Oct 14, 2015
    #1

  2. search not returning results

    i don't know if this is important or not but i recently noticed that the working set memory usage is low on searchUI.exe when i'm having the issue (around 60,400k) and when it is working its about double that.
     
    A Haunted Army, Oct 14, 2015
    #2
  3. Syed N Win User
    search not returning results

    Hi,

    Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community.

    Please check to see if a system file scan may help in resolving the issue.

    • Press Windows+X on the keyboard.
    • Select Command Prompt (Admin).
    • In the Command Prompt window type the following:

      sfc /scannow
    • Wait for the scan to complete. Restart the computer and check for the issue
    Do let us know about the status. Thank you.
     
    Syed N, Oct 14, 2015
    #3
  4. dalchina New Member

    Windows Search returning no results

    Hi, I'm probably misunderstanding what's happening, but taking the simple case that you're not getting a result for searching for sthg on your external drive, if you look at the explorer window, of 'This PC, Current Folder, All subfolders', which is selected?

    It needs to be either 'This PC' (ignoring the navigation pane), or the navigation pane must be used to direct the search to e.g. 'This PC' or the external drive or a relevant folder on the drive. I.e. one way or another the search must not be specified so as to exclude the external drive.

    I'm struggling to understand exactly what you mean by 'A folder with only one file returns nothing when I put *' I assume the * is part of your search parameter as a wild card. & that para basically = 'however I search for sthg that's on the external drive it's not found.'

    Can you confirm you can browse the external disk when it's connected to your PC and the folder & file content is correct?
     
    dalchina, Oct 15, 2015
    #4
  5. 3mptylord Win User
    "All subfolders" is the selected option when I search.

    I can use the HDD normally with no issues insofar as I can tell, aside from the inability to search. I can search when the HDD is plugged into another PC, so the issue must be with a setting on my PC and not the HDD.

    I created a folder with literally only one file in it and then tried to Search for the file - but the Search returned no results.
     
    3mptylord, Oct 15, 2015
    #5
  6. dalchina New Member
    Hi, Try selecting 'My PC'. Basically where you are in the navigation pane (and the options top left) dictate you search range.

    Subfolders means 'search inculding subfolders from where I am now'

    I recall someone else having exactly the same problem- I think it's not clear enough- and I don't use explorer search anyway.

    (Try searching for filenames only- this is when I discovered the search syntax - Advanced Query Syntax
    e.g.
    Learning Windows Search: Use Advanced Query Syntax to Find Everything )
     
    dalchina, Oct 15, 2015
    #6
  7. 3mptylord Win User
    Sorry, but I think you've grossly misunderstood something.

    I am trying to search one of my external hard drives FROM that external hard drive - i.e. I'm trying to find a file on A: from A:. I'm not on C: and expecting to find a result on A:.
     
    3mptylord, Oct 15, 2015
    #7
  8. dalchina New Member

    Windows Search returning no results

    Then you need to make clear what it is you're having a problem with.

    Exactly how can you search one external drive from another? Are you using it as a boot drive and running a mini OS from that?
     
    dalchina, Oct 15, 2015
    #8
  9. 3mptylord Win User
    Please re-read my original post and ignore all subsiquent conversation up to this point - because you've apparently confused yourself. Maybe I'm using jargon incorrectly. So far as I'm aware I'm being very clear about the problem I am having.

    tl;dr:
    I have multiple HDDs on my computer. One of them does not return search results - but it will work when plugged into another computer, meaning the issue is with my computer and not the HDD.

    Crude example:
    • I am looking for the following file, A:\Example\test.txt.
    • I am inside the A:\Example folder.
    • I search for "test", "*" or "txt".
    • It says there are no results.

    Changing the location of the search to "This PC" will only expand the search area to include all of my HDDs and thus make the search take longer, but it will still not find test.txt.

    Short of adding pictures I really don't know how to better explain this...
     
    3mptylord, Oct 15, 2015
    #9
  10. dalchina New Member
    Hi, please would someone try to help this guy? I believe 3mptlord is simply having a problem because he has restricted his search range in explorer. Unfortunately I cannot understand his post better.
     
    dalchina, Oct 15, 2015
    #10
  11. 3mptylord Win User
    Making the search area larger will not help it find a file in the folder I'm currently in... it'll just make it take longer to say that it cannot find it.
     
    3mptylord, Oct 15, 2015
    #11
  12. nabucco Win User
    You need to use another program (for example, everithing). Search in Windows is a great problem.

    This is a search with windows (on the left) and with another program (on the right).:
    https://i.imgur.com/wJCyRBA.jpg
    As you can see, Windows shows about twenty items, xyplorer show 135...
     
    nabucco, Oct 16, 2015
    #12
  13. 3mptylord Win User

    Windows Search returning no results

    I've resorted to using Evertying, but I'd still like to fix the problem. There's got to be something obvious. -_-
     
    3mptylord, Apr 5, 2018
    #13
Thema:

Windows Search returning no results

Loading...
  1. Windows Search returning no results - Similar Threads - Search returning results

  2. Search for files within folders always returning no results. Drive is "selected" for...

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Search for files within folders always returning no results. Drive is "selected" for...: When I search for files within a folder I always get "No items match your search" despite them being obvious matches:When I go to indexing options I can see that my C drive is checked as an "Indexed Location" but not listed as an "Included Location" below like the other...
  3. Search for files within folders always returning no results. Drive is "selected" for...

    in Windows 10 Network and Sharing
    Search for files within folders always returning no results. Drive is "selected" for...: When I search for files within a folder I always get "No items match your search" despite them being obvious matches:When I go to indexing options I can see that my C drive is checked as an "Indexed Location" but not listed as an "Included Location" below like the other...
  4. W10 File Explorer Search returns "No results"

    in Windows 10 Network and Sharing
    W10 File Explorer Search returns "No results": Many times the Win10 File Explorer works fine, but some times it returns "No results" even if there are obvious matches in the list. Repeating the search does not help. Changing to other directories and doing different searches sometimes works, and sometimes returning to...
  5. search returns duplicate results

    in Windows 10 Customization
    search returns duplicate results: In Search Locations under Search tools in Outlook 2019, my email is listed multiple times. I;m sure this is why the emails are listed multiple times in a search. When I remove the check mark next to one of the duplicate search locations it reappears when I remove the check...
  6. Windows 10 Search Bar Web Search returns no results

    in Cortana
    Windows 10 Search Bar Web Search returns no results: My Surface can no longer search the web from the search bar. It still works perfectly fine for local file search, but it will not search the web....
  7. Search Results

    in Windows 10 Support
    Search Results: When I search my Documents directory, I often get results from .css, .js etc when really all I want are folders, .html, .pdf How to I stop the .css, .js files appearing in the search results? I know I can apply filters afterwards but having to do so when all I want to do...
  8. Windows 10 Search Not Returning Results

    in Cortana
    Windows 10 Search Not Returning Results: Hello, The Windows 10 Search function has stopped working. I checked online for the basic troubleshooting and nothing resolved the problem. I will list specifics of the system below. Thanks in advance to any assistance with this search issue. Windows 10 Pro is installed on...
  9. Windows 10 Search not working - no results returned

    in Cortana
    Windows 10 Search not working - no results returned: Windows 10 search bar returns no results. If I restart the Windows Seach service then Search will provided results once before failing again. I have done the following:- Updated Windows Restarted Cortana Changed Pagefile parameters Unistalled Bullguard Anti-virus The...
  10. Windows Defender returns result 0x2

    in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security
    Windows Defender returns result 0x2: Hi. There are 4 Windows Defender Scheduled Tasks. All but the periodic scan task result in successful completions (0x0). The Scheduled Periodic scan task results return 0x2. This holds true even if I run the task on demand. I've found that by disabling Real Time Protection...