Anybody having trouble w/ Windows Explorer search?

[phinds]

TL;DR Summary

windows explorer search keeps dying

I have a serious problem w/ Windows 10 Explorer's search capability and when I look for solutions w/ Google, I see that apparently a lot of people have very recently begun to experience problems w/ the search capability (apparently due to a recent Windows "fix") but MY problem is never mentioned.

What is mentioned a lot is that search results just don't show up. My problem is that the ABILITY to do a search dies in that the text box where one types what is to be searched for stops allowing for any entry.

The only "fix" I have found is to reset the computer which is VERY annoying since I am a power user and typically have 8 or 10 apps all open. These all have to be closed, the reset performed, and then the apps reopened. Major bummer.

Anyone here seeing any problems w/ the search?

 

[DaveE]

Nearly every time I use it. It's why Google is so successful.
Sorry no useful advice here, I gave up long ago.

 

[russ_watters]

Yes, I'm having exactly this problem, frequently. Sometimes stopping the windows search or Cortana processes fixes it; often not.

 

[russ_watters]

Nearly every time I use it. It's why Google is so successful.
Sorry no useful advice here, I gave up long ago.

Sorry, if I'm missing something, but what does google have to do with this? Do they have a local search app?

 

[DaveE]

Sorry, if I'm missing something, but what does google have to do with this? Do they have a local search app?

No. Google can only do about 95% of your search needs.

Want to find the Win 10 printer que? Ask Google first, then do what they say. Because when I ask Windows search "printer que", they give me several choices which all (mostly) send me to Explorer/Bing. Bing then tells me to go to Windows search (where I just was) and type in "printers and scanners". Which works (mostly), but couldn't they have guessed what I was looking for and made that a choice to click on?

Now to be fair, that's what you get from Google, as you would expect. But Google doesn't make you type or click anything, they immediately give you the answer; "type in printers and scanners".

I started by asking the OS for a common OS function, and Windows opened a new browser sending me to the web to make a small correction in what I typed in the search bar. Sorry OS, for adding too much detail in my query.

Seriously, try it yourself...

edit: also, to be fair, in Google the search was "windows 10 printer que", not just "printer que".

 

[phinds]

Yes, I'm having exactly this problem, frequently. Sometimes stopping the windows search or Cortana processes fixes it; often not.

Yeah, that was one of the fixes recommended on Google, and like you I find that it works some of the time, but rarely.

When did you first notice the problem, Russ? I think it's been about a week for me. I keep hoping that Microsoft will issue a fix but this seems like quite a long time for such a fundamental problem, especially since they apparently caused it just recently.

 

[jedishrfu]

Since your problem is somewhat different then perhaps one of the other apps is somehow affecting it.

Try keeping track of the other apps or try searching on your problem with one of the apps as part of the search string to see if there is some correlation.

Or try rebuilding the search index:

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-file-explorer-search-not-working-windows-10/

 

[Borg]

The main problem that I've always had since Win 7 is that they changed it so that ignores many file types that I need to look for. I can search a directory that has a single file in it that I know has the word that I'm looking for and it will tell me that no documents meet my search criteria.

 

[phinds]

Since your problem is somewhat different then perhaps one of the other apps is somehow affecting it.

Try keeping track of the other apps or try searching on your problem with one of the apps as part of the search string to see if there is some correlation.

Or try rebuilding the search index:

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-file-explorer-search-not-working-windows-10/

Reasonable suggestions but unlikely since it started for me at the same time as for, apparently, LOTS of others. I've rebuilt the search index, no joy. I've run the Windows trouble shooter for search, no joy, I've stopped and restarted Cortanta, no joy. I've tried a lot of really loud cussing, no joy (but some slight relief).

 

[jedishrfu]

Switched to Linux - Joy.

 

[phinds]

Switched to Linux - Joy.

I actually tried that once years ago. More trouble than it's worth, my opinion.

 

[Bystander]

about a week

Jibes with what I've run into, AND with FB, Twitter, and other social media "fixes" that have been recently been proposed for the election year; coincidence? I use none of them, have never used them, but "about a week" ago got reduced to single Google/Explorer/Bing at a time, and (confirmation bias?) that's when I recall "truth in advertising" fixes for the elections.

 

[DaveC426913]

The main problem that I've always had since Win 7 is that they changed it so that ignores many file types that I need to look for. I can search a directory that has a single file in it that I know has the word that I'm looking for and it will tell me that no documents meet my search criteria.

There are settings for that. One to show file extensions and another to show hidden files.
That should stop Windoze from being blind to those files.

 

[chemisttree]

There are settings for that. One to show file extensions and another to show hidden files.
That should stop Windoze from being blind to those files.

View attachment 256981

I thought it was the Russians...

 

[Tom.G]

I gave up on the Microsoft search/indexing about a decade ago, mainly because the indexing was bogging down disk accesses. Been using something called Agent Ransack which doesn't use an index, still pretty quick though. It is a free/light version of a full-blown, with indexing, search utility.

A Google search on the name produces good results.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Borg]

There are settings for that. One to show file extensions and another to show hidden files.
That should stop Windoze from being blind to those files.

No, I know about the hidden files option. The problem is that even if you don't have files hidden, the search ignores certain extensions when it searches. There are options to undo that but I've found that they just don't work.

 

[jack action]

I actually tried that once years ago. More trouble than it's worth, my opinion.

Diddo for me. But then I got more frustrated when Windows 10 came along, and tried the switch once more.

I went with Linux Lite - which aim at Windows users transiting - and I would never go back.

Linux Lite is a 'gateway operating system'. It was created to make the transition from Windows to a linux based operating system, as smooth as possible. It does this by providing easy to use familiar software such as Skype, Steam, Kodi and Spotify, a free Office suite, a familiar user interface or DE (Desktop Environment) layout, and most importantly, by continuing to improve on what we already provide by listening to members of the community.

Write programs that do one thing and do it well. Linux Lite follows the Unix philosophy in regards to software selection and programming as it applies to the modern era.

Linux Lite is free operating system based on the Ubuntu LTS series of releases. LTS stands for Long Term Support, this means each release has a support period of 5 years. This is a great basis for stability, but not only that, you only need to install once every 5 years. During that period your system will continue to receive updates. Linux Lite is fully functional out of the box, this means that you won't have to install extra software when you boot your computer for the first time. We believe that a computer should be ready to use straight away on the first boot after a new install. You're going to need this kind of functionality on a daily basis when you are using your computer so we take the hassle out of trying to find the right software from the start.

Come to the Dark Side.

 

[pbuk]

The main problem that I've always had since Win 7 is that they changed it so that ignores many file types that I need to look for. I can search a directory that has a single file in it that I know has the word that I'm looking for and it will tell me that no documents meet my search criteria.

I hit the windows key and typed "Se" and it offered me "Search permissions and history" so I kept typing and by the time I got to "Search" I was offered "Windows Search Settings". Scroll down there and you'll see "Advanced indexing settings" where you can force it to search .dll files for strings if you really want to.

Want to find the Win 10 printer que? Ask Google first, then do what they say. Because when I ask Windows search "printer que",

Were you watching while you typed? When I hit the Windows key and type "pr" it offers me "Printers and Scanners", which is what you want. If you ignore it and keep typing "printer que" then it, quite reasonably, assumes you didn't want what it had already offered you and so offered you an internet search instead.

In both these cases the Windows 10 behaviour follows well the principle of least surprise for me at least.

 

[Borg]

I hit the windows key and typed "Se" and it offered me "Search permissions and history" so I kept typing and by the time I got to "Search" I was offered "Windows Search Settings". Scroll down there and you'll see "Advanced indexing settings" where you can force it to search .dll files for strings if you really want to.

Yes. Been there, done that, watched it fail. It could very well be that I did something wrong the last time that I tried but frankly, it really shouldn't be that messed up to begin with.

 

[mathman]

To look for files using part or all of a name I use "everything" which can be gotten from snapfiles.

 

[Klystron]

I have been intending to upgrade or replace my Windows 8.2 laptop to Windows 10 "real soon". Any day now as soon as the bugs are worked out.

Windows 8 internal search is problematic enough to make me question whether computers are deterministic after all.

 

[symbolipoint]

To look for files using part or all of a name I use "everything" which can be gotten from snapfiles.

That kind of suggestion is the best likely for finding a way around phind's problem. If Windows itself is not letting you find what file you want, some alternative is "everything", or some others, such as (forgot the exact application name) "searchmyfiles" or "findmyfiles". Remember the way you used Searches in Windows XP? That is how these alternative applications work.

 

[russ_watters]

No. Google can only do about 95% of your search needs.

Want to find the Win 10 printer que? Ask Google first, then do what they say. Because when I ask Windows search "printer que", they give me several choices which all (mostly) send me to Explorer/Bing. Bing then tells me to go to Windows search (where I just was) and type in "printers and scanners". Which works (mostly), but couldn't they have guessed what I was looking for and made that a choice to click on?

Now to be fair, that's what you get from Google, as you would expect. But Google doesn't make you type or click anything, they immediately give you the answer; "type in printers and scanners".

I started by asking the OS for a common OS function, and Windows opened a new browser sending me to the web to make a small correction in what I typed in the search bar. Sorry OS, for adding too much detail in my query.

Seriously, try it yourself...

I just tried it and before I finished typing, Cortana gave me the correct answer. After I finished typing and hit enter, Bing gave me the correct answer from an ms support site in the top hit.

Now if you really want something to complain about on this, I'd complain about the fact that windows 10 has two different control panels with different items and different features to access. So depending on what you want to do with your printers, you pick one or the other (or just always use the "classic").

...but none of this has anything to do with local file searching, which is what the OP was asking about.

 

[russ_watters]

When did you first notice the problem, Russ? I think it's been about a week for me.

I think it's been a couple of months at least.

 

[phinds]

I think it's been a couple of months at least.

Hm ... not what I expected, but good to know. Thanks.

 

[QuantumQuest]

Just one question phinds, does this behavior of not accepting input occurs when you select an entry shown in recent search history drop-down list or it happens in other cases as well?

 

[russ_watters]

Just one question phinds, does this behavior of not accepting input occurs when you select an entry shown in recent search history drop-down list or it happens in other cases as well?

There is no drop-down list when this happens. When you click the search box, literally nothing happens. No cursor, no drop-down list, nothing. It's like the box isn't even there.

 

[russ_watters]

Hm ... not what I expected, but good to know. Thanks.

A lively thread on MS's help site says build 1909 in November is what may have triggered it.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10/3c70ea75-79a8-4f3b-b10a-86be1f22931c

The last post says an update from 2wks ago may have fixed it, so make sure you are up to date. I'll let you know if I experience it again.

 

[phinds]

A lively thread on MS's help site says build 1909 in November is what may have triggered it.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10/3c70ea75-79a8-4f3b-b10a-86be1f22931c

The last post says an update from 2wks ago may have fixed it, so make sure you are up to date. I'll let you know if I experience it again.

Oh, I checked the up to date status as the first attempt to fix it and it's definitely not fixed.

 

[phinds]

Just one question phinds, does this behavior of not accepting input occurs when you select an entry shown in recent search history drop-down list or it happens in other cases as well?

It doesn't matter WHAT I'm searching for because, unlike Russ, I do get the search box, I just can't type anything into it. There is no dropdown list and I don't recall ever seeing one in the past.

EDIT: OOPS. of COURSE I get a drop-down box, but only when the search box will allow input. Don't know why I didn't remember that

 

[QuantumQuest]

There is no drop-down list when this happens. When you click the search box, literally nothing happens. No cursor, no drop-down list, nothing. It's like the box isn't even there.

In some cases even if the cursor isn't there, you can still type letters and do the search using the Enter key. If this is not the case then you can restart Windows Explorer using the Task Manager.

 

[phinds]

Followup to my previous post:

 

[symbolipoint]

phinds,
Like I said, I also have not been satisfied when trying to FIND anything through Windows Explorer (as you are trying to show in post #32). I have found better results when SEARCHing using the SEARCH bar in the task bar, especially when I can avoid letting Cortana get into it. One of those third-party File Search tools should be a better option.

 

[QuantumQuest]

It doesn't matter WHAT I'm searching for because, unlike Russ, I do get the search box, I just can't type anything into it. There is no dropdown list and I don't recall ever seeing one in the past.

I see. Does restarting just Windows Explorer help?

 

[phinds]

I see. Does restarting just Windows Explorer help?

Sometimes. The only completely reliable fix is to reboot the machine, but as I've already pointed out, that is a BIG pain in the butt for me.

 

[symbolipoint]

Sometimes. The only completely reliable fix is to reboot the machine, but as I've already pointed out, that is a BIG pain in the butt for me.

This feeling is understandable. Nobody wants to constantly SEARCH for something (through Windows Explorer), the search fail, and then restart the computer - every single time.

https://www.voidtools.com/support/everything/whats_new/

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/search_my_files.html

 

[phinds]

@symbolipoint I see in an email that you had a comment (now deleted from the thread) about not being satisfied with Explorer's ability to find things. I want to be clear to everyone that I have NEVER had that problem. When search works it always does exactly what I need for it to do.

 

[phinds]

This feeling is understandable. Nobody wants to constantly SEARCH for something (through Windows Explorer), the search fail, and then restart the computer - every single time.

https://www.voidtools.com/support/everything/whats_new/

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/search_my_files.html

Already got Explorer++ since this problem came up but I find it useless for my needs plus being somewhat unfriendly. I'll take a look at the other one.

OK, took a look at it, very unfriendly, won't even search just the folder I want to search. Useless.

I appreciate your attempts to help but those 2 aren't doing it for me. I'd rather reset the computer than use either one of them.

 

[symbolipoint]

phinds, about #37 & #38
I rarely enough use either of those I quoted. I myself am now glad to have it, but Windows search feature itself usually finds for me what I look for when necessary. I forgot all about searching for folder or directory. Maybe soon I'll take the chance to look in the application to see if there is a way to do a search for a folder.

 

[symbolipoint]

Already got Explorer++ since this problem came up but I find it useless for my needs plus being somewhat unfriendly. I'll take a look at the other one.

OK, took a look at it, very unfriendly, won't even search just the folder I want to search. Useless.

I appreciate your attempts to help but those 2 aren't doing it for me. I'd rather reset the computer than use either one of them.

You are I assume, satisfied with what you have now for searching on your computer, but in case anyone is still interested in more alternatives for search-utilities, read this: https://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-desktop-file-search-software/

 

[phinds]

You are I assume, satisfied with what you have now for searching on your computer ...

I am more than satisfied with Windows Explorer, I just want the damned thing to WORK (all of the time --- the way it has for decades up 'til recently)

 

[member 656954]

There is no drop-down list when this happens. When you click the search box, literally nothing happens. No cursor, no drop-down list, nothing. It's like the box isn't even there.

I've experienced this, on and off, for about a year. It is mostly okay, but every now and then, search just goes AWOL. After a few days, it comes back. I've looked at what patches are applied in the period, and there is never anything obvious to cause the behavior. Indeed, sometimes, there are no patches applied at all. Rebooting does not fix it, resetting the indexing does not fix it, so I just have to live with it, which is irritating but not life threatening at least.

The other annoying search 'feature' is with OneDrive. Possibly because files live in the cloud, Windows Search does not index their contents, so I can be looking for work files that I know I has some useful text or diagram, and it won't find them. I've started using Dropbox as my WIP directory and have forced OneDrive to keep all files resident on my big PC so files can be indexed. That's not possible on the laptop though, as the SSD is too small, so it is not an ideal solution.

 

[sysprog]

I always keep Windows Update and its re-enablers disabled -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it; I probably don't need or want the newest and greatest -- if I need or want something newer or somehow more worthy, I'll go find it -- don't push it on me -- I think that it's best practice to back up your stuff on your own devices -- make at least 3 copies; at least 1 copy on each of 3 different devices.

 

[member 656954]

I think that it's best practice to back up your stuff on your own devices -- make at least 3 copies; at least 1 copy on each of 3 different devices.

Backup is vital. I use Crashplan because your files go to their cloud automatically and it can cope with intermittent backup locations like a USB disk drive that you only occasionally plug in. But however it's done, it's got to be done!

I always keep Windows Update and its re-enablers disabled

I won't push you but I will conclude you like to live dangerously, @sysprog

 

[phinds]

I always keep Windows Update and its re-enablers disabled

So you don't want to get security updates?

 

[sysprog]

So you don't want to get security updates?

No -- I decide what programs my computers run -- if I didn't order the pizza, I don't want it, and if it arrives at my door, I'll be nice to the nice delivery person, and call my lawyer to get on the case of that person's boss . . .

 

[symbolipoint]

I always keep Windows Update and its re-enablers disabled -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it; I probably don't need or want the newest and greatest -- if I need or want something newer or somehow more worthy, I'll go find it -- don't push it on me -- I think that it's best practice to back up your stuff on your own devices -- make at least 3 copies; at least 1 copy on each of 3 different devices.

If updates are still being distributed for the operating system, then they are USUALLY important. If person is on a current operating system or I mean fully modern, the present day thing the company (Microsoft for Windows) wants it users to be using, then disabling the updating is a bad thing.

 

[phinds]

No -- I decide what programs my computers run

And I take it you don't use a browser and so don't log on to forums such as this one or use the interenet in any other way?

 

[sysprog]

And I take it you don't use a browser and so don't log on to forums such as this one or use the interenet in any other way?

That's a non sequitur.

 

[symbolipoint]

No -- I decide what programs my computers run -- if I didn't order the pizza, I don't want it, and if it arrives at my door, I'll be nice to the nice delivery person, and call my lawyer to get on the case of that person's boss . . .

And I take it you don't use a browser and so don't log on to forums such as this one or use the interenet in any other way?

That's a non sequitur.

The "sequitur" of @phinds ' statement can be logically explained.