Share via

Windows Search Bar doesn't search in files contents

Anonymous
2020-11-12T22:03:47+00:00

Many times per day in my work i need to search for files containing some word. I have windows indexing service running and up untill approx. 15 - 20 ago everything worked as it should.

I mean i press the windows key in my keyboard, i start writing the word that i' m looking for and windows search box populate a list of files containg this word in file name and/or file contents.

Now this functions is broken. I mean i cannot search from windows search bar for files containing a specific word. Althought i still can search for files containing the requested word from explorer search box. So i understand that the indexing service working but for some reason the search box doesn't "searching" anymore in file contents.

This is really frustrating beacause i use this function many times each day and now for the same result i must open an explorer windows -> move the mouse to search box -> and the start typing.

Please is there any way to fix this?

Thank you

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Cortana and search

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

7 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. John DeV 163.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-11-12T22:11:16+00:00

    Hello Vas.ili.s,

    I'm John an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you. I'll be happy to assist you today. I understand you have a problem with windows search bar not working. Did you made any changes recently? When was the last time it was working properly? What is your current Windows operating system and version? Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: winver Press Enter

    Kindly try the suggested methods below if it helps.

    Method 1.

    Press Windows key+R to open Run then type or copy paste the path below. Hit Enter.

    C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe

    Method 2.

    **Please try to check first this support article.

    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/w...

    Method 3.

    **Repair all Windows apps via Powershell

    Windows key+X then select Windows Powershell (Admin)

    copy paste the command below one at a time then press Enter. Please ignore the red errors and let the process complete.

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}

    Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

    Restart your Computer

    Kindly let me know if this helps or if you have any further concerns.

    Sincerely

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. John DeV 163.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-11-15T21:12:45+00:00

    Hello Vas.ili.s,

    Thank you for updating me that information. Please try to check the link below on how to Rebuild the Search Engine Index.

    https://thegeekpage.com/fix-windows-10-search-p...

    I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further concerns.

    Sincerely

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

    Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-11-15T18:59:39+00:00

    Hello John Dev

    Thanks again for your effort.

    I have already tried this but no luck. Same behavor in the new admin account.

    Vasilis

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. John DeV 163.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-11-14T11:28:28+00:00

    Hello Vas.ili.s,

    Thank you for updating me that information. I'm sorry it didn't resolve the issue.

    If it doesn't work, Please try to create a new local administrator account then check if everything is working there.

    Press Windows key+R to open Run then type: cmd

    Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER to Run as administrator

    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    net user USER_NAME PASSWORD /add

    In the above command make sure to change USER_NAME and PASSWORD with the credentials you want to use for the new user account.

    For example: net user John 1234 /add

    After that, Please type the following command to add the newly created account to the Administrators group and press Enter:

    net localgroup administrators USER_ACCOUNT /add

    For example: net localgroup administrators John /add

    Sign-out then login with the new administrator account. Kindly check if everything is working properly there.

    I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further concerns.

    Sincerely

    John DeV

    Independent Advisor

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-11-14T11:24:30+00:00

    Hello John Dev

    Thank you for your help

    My Windows Version is Windows 10 Pro Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.630)

    I follow all the steps and suggestion of Method 1, 2 and 3 with no difference.

    Every time i run "Troubleshoot search and indexing" troubleshooter finds a problem "Windows Search in not working" asks me "try these repairs as administrator" --> i allow to run the perairs --> a windows coming up saying the windows search service has been restarting and that the error fixed BUT NO DIFFERENCE in the way the Start Menu' s Search Box working.

    Just to say it again again. The indexing service seems to working because when i' m searching for words from an explorer window' s  search box the results are correct.

    The problems is when i'm searching from the Start Menu's  Search Box. There i search for the same word and i get no results.

    Thank you again

    Vasilis

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments