Windows Explorer is one of the oldest file managers available in the Windows operating system, allowing users to administer file, folder, and network connectivity. Due to its age, this browser is not without its flaws and shortcomings. Then what can you do when the Windows explorer search not working? Try some of these suggestions from us.
What Went Wrong With Your Explorer Search
One of the common problems with Windows Explorer is that it does not open links or is not open when launched through its application. The cause of Windows 10 File Explorer Search Not Working error is mainly due to adware or malicious software attacks.
What Can You Do When Windows Explorer Search Not Working
Option 1: Restart file explorer
Restarting is the first way to think of when Windows file search not working. This is the simplest and most effective way to stop the transmission of adware and malware at that time. However, if your browser has been hacked too deeply, this approach may not work. Well, but it’s worth a try.
You just need to press the X in the upper right corner of the screen and wait for the application to close if the browser lags, power off your computer completely, and restart it later.
Option 2: Use Powershell
System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan and recover for corruptions present in their operating system, which can also resolve Windows 10 folder search not working.
Press Windows + R to start the Run application. Type Powershell into the dialog box and press Enter to launch your computer’s task manager.
While in Windows Powershell, type the command below and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Search | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
This process may take some time as your entire Windows files are scanned by the scanner and checked for corrupted stages. After that, you have finished resolving the folder search not working issue!
Option 3: Set Up Your Search Index Again
First, open the Control Panel on the Windows window, click the Indexing Options icon, and select Advanced.
Next, look in the Index Settings tab and double-click the Rebuild option in the right pane of the screen. Then confirm by clicking OK.
The reindexing process may take some time to complete. If necessary, you can click Pause to stop the index from running again. So you’re done! Please restart when Windows 10 search not working and check again.
Option 4: Modify File Explorer Options
OK, your windows file explorer search not working, and you have tried all the above, and it still doesn’t work. Be persistent and try this way.
Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run command window, enter control.exe folders there and press Enter. Use the copy-paste command to achieve the highest accuracy.
When the File Explorer Options window appears, you will see three tabs: General, View, and Search. Please select View and check “Launch folder windows in a separate process” by double-clicking. Last but not least, to save the process, select apply and wait for a few seconds.
Option 5: Check Your Windows Search Service
Like most of the steps above, open the Run command window with the Windows + R key combination. When the tab opens, all you need to do is paste the services.MSC command into the dialog box and press OK.
Here, search for Windows Search Service, then right-click and select Properties. Change the Startup Type option to Automatic instead of others options. On the bottom line, you also need to check if the Service option is set to Running.
Option 6: Shut Down Cortana
If you use Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise, this is the simplest way for you to manually repair the file explorer search not working.
First, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task manager command window. Scroll down and find Cortana, then select End Task to end Cortana’s activity.
Option 7: Install KB4532695 Update To Fix Windows 10 File Search Not Working
In addition to the regular schedule, Microsoft is currently releasing update KB4532695 to address a range of issues with devices running Windows 10 Version 1909 and Version 1903.
However, the new patch this time creates more bugs. The cause of the KB4532695 update causing the blue screen error can be due to the driver, it may be incompatible, or partly due to an error from the registry system.
Option 8: Add System Permission To A Folder
In some cases in order to access a file, you need to take ownership of the file, users to change your permissions by following the below steps:
Please find the file or folder that you can’t access, right-click it and select Properties > Security. The new window will open and you can see a full list of available users and groups and choose the Edit button.
If your device name is not available, double-click the Add button.
The Select Users or Groups window will open. You can simply type the name of the user or group in the Enter the object names field and then click the Check Names button. Now, all you need to do is choose OK.
Option 9: Remove Your Explorer and Reinstall
The simplest solution to fix Windows 10 explorer search not working is to delete the application from the system files, uninstall it, and install it again.
To do this, users need to access the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features menu. To be more specific, you will see the names of the applications and software you have installed on your computer. Just double-click on the application you want to delete and then click “Uninstall” to delete the application as you like.
Conclusion
Windows Explorer search not working can affect your studies, work and is a rather annoying error for most users. However, there are also ways for you to fix that problem. We have shown you nine possible ways that you can refer to in times needed. Please try another method to find out the one that works!
We hope you find out the solution to your problem. Thank you for reading and see you soon.
Leave a Reply