Guide: Fix ‘Windows 10 File Explorer Search Not Working’ Issue
Microsoft’s integration of Windows Search into File Explorer is what made searching for files so delightful. However, it continues to contain errors that make the File Explorer search feature useless for some Windows 10 users. In this guide, we’ll highlight five things you can do if Windows 10 File Explorer Search is not working on your PC. The problem with the Windows 10 File Explorer is inconsistent and sprouts in various forms. There are times when Windows Search works, but sometimes it doesn’t. And for some users, the search bar crashes every time they try to perform a search. There are also reports that File Explorer does not auto-suggest files because keywords are typed into the search bar. Whatever the problem, the troubleshooting solutions below should help bring File Explorer search back to normal. By the way, you should try to restart your PC before moving on to the solutions below. See if it fixes the problem – as with some users.
1. Restart Windows Explorer
If File Explorer’s search functionality isn’t working, restarting the app can help fix things upYou can restart Windows Explorer from Windows Task Manager. Follow the steps below to get it done. Step 1: Launch the Windows Quick Access menu (use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut) and select Task Manager.
Step 2: Select Windows Explorer in the Apps section and tap Restart button in the lower right corner of the window.
You can also right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.
This will close all active File Explorer windows. Restart the file explorer and check if the search bar is now working.
2. Reconfigure the indexing options
If you are sure that a file exists on your computer, but it does not appear in Windows Explorer search results, you must reconfigure the Windows Explorer Indexing Options. Follow the steps below to get it done. Step 1: Launch the Run window using the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut. Step 2: Now copy and paste the command below into the Open dialog box and tap OK. You can also tap Enter button on your keyboard to continue. rundll32.exe shell32.dll, Control_RunDLL srchadmin.dll
Step 3: Then tap Advanced button
Step 4: Navigate to the File Types section.
Step 5: Now select the ‘Index Properties and File Contents’ option and select OK.
That will rebuild the Windows Explorer search index according to the indexing option you just selected. Rebuilding this index may take a while. Step 6: You will be prompted that some of your search results may be incomplete, pending the index rebuild process. Tap OK to continue.
Wait a few minutes (for example, 30 minutes to an hour) and try searching for files again. If the File Explorer search function is still not working or displaying files on your computer, continue with the next troubleshooting method below.
3. Run the Search and Index troubleshooter
You can also use the Windows Search and Index troubleshooter to automatically detect and fix the File Explorer problems. Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu and select ‘Update and Security’.
Step 2: Select Troubleshoot from the right menu.
Step 3: On the Troubleshooting page, scroll to the “Other Troubleshooting” section and select “Search and Index”.
Step 4: Tap ‘Run the troubleshooter’ button
That starts the ‘Search and index’ troubleshooter. Step 5: Select the issues applicable to your computer from the options offered and tap Next.
If you select ‘My problem is not listed above’ you will be prompted for a description of the search problem you are experiencing on your computer. The troubleshooter will continue to diagnose your computer and fix any problem found. If no issues have been identified, try the next solution described below.
4. Change the File Explorer search options
If Windows Explorer does not display certain file types in search results, the app’s search functionality is likely configured to exclude those file types. Follow the steps below to configure the folder search options in File Explorer to include the missing file types. Step 1: Start Windows Explorer and go to the View section.
Step 2: Select Options to open the File Explorer Folder Options window.
Step 3: Navigate to the Search section.
Step 4: Check these two options (‘Include compressed files’ and ‘Always search for file names and contents’).
Step 5: Click Apply and then tap OK to save the changes.
5. Update Windows
The problem with the Windows 10 File Explorer Search not working could be due to an error in the Windows OS build installed on your computer. Update your PC to the latest Windows 10 build to resolve the issue. Launch the Windows Settings menu and select ‘Update and Security’. If an update is available for your device, tap Download button
Search and discover
Use any of the above troubleshooting methods to get Windows 10 File Explorer’s search function running flawlessly again. Let us know which one worked for you. You can also leave comments if you need further assistance regarding the topic. The next upIf File Explorer loads slowly or runs slowly on your Windows 10 computer, try one of these 9 solutions in the article below to fix that error and speed things up up
Fix ‘Windows 10 File Explorer Search Not Working’ Issue: benefits
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