file explorer crashes on search

Question

when i search in the search bar on file explorer for something on my pc File explorer crashes and after crashing the task bar freezed up

Answer 1

Hi,

Since File Explorer crashes specifically when you use the search box, I suggest rebuilding the Windows Search index first.

Press Win + R, type:

control /name Microsoft.IndexingOptions

Then select Advanced > Index Settings > Rebuild. After the rebuild completes, restart the PC and test File Explorer search again.

If it still crashes, reset Windows Search using Microsoft's official steps here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/shell-experience/fix-problems-in-windows-search

If the issue continues after that, please let me know and I can help you check the File Explorer crash log next.

Answer 2

Try these steps in order:

1. Install Windows updates
   • In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
   • Select Check for updates.
   • Install any available updates, then restart the PC.
2. Restart the PC even if no updates are pending
   • This can complete pending update work that affects File Explorer.
3. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter
   • Right-click Start and select Search.
   • Type Control Panel and open it.
   • In the Control Panel search box, type indexing.
   • Select Indexing options > Advanced.
   • Under Index Settings, select Troubleshoot search and indexing.
   • Follow the wizard.
4. Optimize advanced system settings and virtual memory
   • Type control panel on the taskbar and open Control Panel.
   • Go to System and Security > System > Advanced system settings.
   • On the Advanced tab, under Performance, select Settings > Advanced.
   • Make sure Adjust for best performance of is set to Programs.
   • Under Virtual memory, select Change and confirm Automatically manage paging file sizes for all drives is selected.
   • Select OK, then Apply, and restart the PC.
5. Run Disk Cleanup
   • Type disk cleanup in the taskbar search box and open Disk Cleanup.
   • Select a drive and choose OK.
   • Select the file types to remove. Check the Recycle Bin carefully before emptying it.
   • Select OK.
6. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter
   • Open Control Panel.
   • Set View by to Large icons or Small icons.
   • Go to Troubleshooting > View all > System Maintenance.
   • Select Next > Try troubleshooting as an administrator.
7. Check for corrupted system files
   • Run System File Checker using the Microsoft guidance here: Using System File Checker in Windows.
8. If File Explorer still crashes, run Startup Repair
   • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
   • Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
   • Then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
   • Sign in if prompted.
9. Last resort: reset the PC
   • If the earlier steps do not fix File Explorer, resetting Windows may help. This is a bigger change, so review the recovery options first: Recovery options in Windows.

---

References

• Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start
• Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start
• Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start
• Find lost files after upgrading Windows