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Cannot search in file explorer.

Sorramit H 6 Reputation points
2020-09-09T02:26:51.49+00:00

When I open file explorer and try to search some file, by click at the search box.
It only blinks the gray bar once and I cannot type any word in that box.

Windows 10 Compatibility
Windows 10 Compatibility
Windows 10: A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.Compatibility: The extent to which hardware or software adheres to an accepted standard.
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  1. Jenny Yan-MSFT 9,326 Reputation points
    2020-09-09T06:37:29.453+00:00

    Hi,
    Thanks for your posting but kindly note this is a public forum and sharing personal information may result in some unsecure risks and is not allowed.

    For the search is not working in file explorer issue, kindly test if following workaround would be helpful.

    1.Call out task manager and navigate to "file explorer" and choose restart.

    2.If above method doesn't help, you may try following steps:
    Go to "View -> Options -> Change folder and search options" and then under "View -> Advanced settings", toggle "Launch folder windows in a separate process" option. It doesn't matter if you have been using this option or not, simply enable or disable it.
    Hit OK button and if the file explorer hasn't restarted on its own, close it.
    23413-image.png

    Looking forward to your update and please help to accept as Answer if the response is helpful.

    Thanks,
    Jenny

  2. Kapil Arya 7,791 Reputation points MVP
    2020-09-09T08:48:22.867+00:00

    Hello,

    Reboot or restart File Explorer, see if that helps.

    Else run Search & Indexing troubleshooter from Settings app > Update & security > Troubleshoot. Let us know what it reports back.

    Regards.

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  3. Robert Marotta 1 Reputation point
    2020-10-06T21:11:30.547+00:00

    These suggested solutions still fail for me as well. I cannot use Windows or Cortana Search feature NOR windows explorer search [other than opening notepad typing my query and then copying and pasting it into the Search fields]. I have tried the Powershell "solution" no good. I have tried searching for the SearchUI.exe under Task manager [it's not there], and I have tried the registry "hack" of disabling Bing. None of these "solutions" work for me. I have three machines all running windows latest [Windows 10 Home version 2004], and only ONE out of the THREE has a non-functioning Search feature.

    There has GOT to be a solution to this problem,. I see people all over the web asking, but still, there is NO SOLUTION.

    AAAArrrrfgggghhhhhhh

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