Windows File Explorer search not working
Jun 30, 2025 pm 04:12 PMWhen the Windows File Explorer search function fails, you can troubleshoot and fix it by following the steps below: 1. Make sure that the "Windows Search" service is running, but if it is not running, it starts manually and sets to automatic; 2. Rebuild the index database through "Index Options"; 3. Check and adjust the search settings to make sure that "Always Search File Name and Content" and "Include Subfolders when Searching" are checked; 4. Run the PowerShell command with administrator permissions to reset the search component. In most cases, the problem is caused by the service not started or the index is corrupted. Sequential processing can usually be solved. If it is still invalid, you can try to restore or update the system.
The search function is invalid in Windows File Explorer, which is really a headache. It should be a good helper to quickly find files, but sometimes it just doesn't cooperate. This problem can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as indexing problems, service not running, or system settings are not properly set up. Don't worry, the following methods can help you troubleshoot and repair.

1. Check whether the "Windows Search" service is running
In many cases, Explorer search does not work because the "Windows Search" service is not started. You can check this way:

- Press
Win R
to open the run window, enterservices.msc
to enter to enter - Find Windows Search in the list
- See if the status is "running"
- If not, right-click to select "Start"
In addition, it is recommended to set the startup type to "Auto", so that it can be used normally after booting.
If this service cannot be started, it may be that the system file is corrupted. You can use the sfc /scannow
command to repair the system file.

2. Rebuild the index database
Windows' search depends on indexes. If the index is wrong, the search will naturally fail. At this time, you can try to rebuild the index :
- Open any folder and click "View" -> "Options" -> "Folder Options" in the top menu bar
- Switch to the Search tab
- Check "Always search for file names and contents" (this option can improve search accuracy)
- Go back to desktop or Explorer and open Control Panel -> Index Options
- Click the Advanced button and select Rebuild
This process can take several minutes or even longer, depending on your hard drive size and file count.
3. Adjust the search settings to make sure it is not a setting problem
Sometimes, search does not work because it is actually a wrong setting. For example, by default, only search for file names, not content, or hide the result prompt.
It can be adjusted like this:
- Open File Explorer and enter any folder
- Click on the top menu "View" -> "Options" -> "Folder Options"
- Confirm the following points in the Search tab:
- ? Check "Always search for file names and contents"
- ? Check "Include subfolders when searching"
If you have no response after entering the search box, it may also be a UI-level problem. You can try restarting the Explorer or computer.
4. Try resetting the search component using the command line
If none of the above methods are useful, you can consider resetting the relevant components through the command line. Run PowerShell or command prompt as an administrator and enter the following command:
powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Command "Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object { $_.PackageName -like \"*Windows.FileManager*\" } | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$$InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml"}"
This re-registers the file explorer-related components. Although it seems a bit complicated, just copy and paste it.
Basically these common solutions. Most of the time, the service is not started or the index is broken, and it can be done by checking it in order. If it still doesn't work, you may have to consider restoring the system or updating Windows to the latest version.
The above is the detailed content of Windows File Explorer search not working. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Hot AI Tools

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor

SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools

SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)

When the Windows Security Center is blank or the function is missing, you can follow the following steps to check: 1. Confirm whether the system version supports full functions, some functions of the Home Edition are limited, and the Professional Edition and above are more complete; 2. Restart the SecurityHealthService service to ensure that its startup type is set to automatic; 3. Check and uninstall third-party security software that may conflict; 4. Run the sfc/scannow and DISM commands to repair system files; 5. Try to reset or reinstall the Windows Security Center application, and contact Microsoft support if necessary.

The computer is stuck in the "Undo Changes made to the computer" interface, which is a common problem after the Windows update fails. It is usually caused by the stuck rollback process and cannot enter the system normally. 1. First of all, you should wait patiently for a long enough time, especially after restarting, it may take more than 30 minutes to complete the rollback, and observe the hard disk light to determine whether it is still running. 2. If there is no progress for a long time, you can force shut down and enter the recovery environment (WinRE) multiple times, and try to start repair or system restore. 3. After entering safe mode, you can uninstall the most recent update records through the control panel. 4. Use the command prompt to execute the bootrec command in the recovery environment to repair the boot file, or run sfc/scannow to check the system file. 5. The last method is to use the "Reset this computer" function

Encountering something went wrong 657rx can be frustrating when you log in to Microsoft Teams or Outlook. In this article on MiniTool, we will explore how to fix the Outlook/Microsoft Teams error 657rx so you can get your workflow back on track.Quick

When encountering the "RPCserverisunavailable" problem, first confirm whether it is a local service exception or a network configuration problem. 1. Check and start the RPC service to ensure that its startup type is automatic. If it cannot be started, check the event log; 2. Check the network connection and firewall settings, test the firewall to turn off the firewall, check DNS resolution and network connectivity; 3. Run the sfc/scannow and DISM commands to repair the system files; 4. Check the group policy and domain controller status in the domain environment, and contact the IT department to assist in the processing. Gradually check it in sequence to locate and solve the problem.

When you encounter the "DefaultGatewayisNotAvailable" prompt, it means that the computer cannot connect to the router or does not obtain the network address correctly. 1. First, restart the router and computer, wait for the router to fully start before trying to connect; 2. Check whether the IP address is set to automatically obtain, enter the network attribute to ensure that "Automatically obtain IP address" and "Automatically obtain DNS server address" are selected; 3. Run ipconfig/release and ipconfig/renew through the command prompt to release and re-acquire the IP address, and execute the netsh command to reset the network components if necessary; 4. Check the wireless network card driver, update or reinstall the driver to ensure that it works normally.

When encountering the "SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION" blue screen error, you do not need to reinstall the system or replace the hardware immediately. You can follow the following steps to check: 1. Update or roll back hardware drivers such as graphics cards, especially recently updated drivers; 2. Uninstall third-party antivirus software or system tools, and use WindowsDefender or well-known brand products to replace them; 3. Run sfc/scannow and DISM commands as administrator to repair system files; 4. Check memory problems, restore the default frequency and re-plug and unplug the memory stick, and use Windows memory diagnostic tools to detect. In most cases, the driver and software problems can be solved first.

Windows 11 KB5062660 is now rolling out as an optional update for Windows 11 24H2 with a few new features, including Recall AI in Europe. This patch is available via Windows Update, but Microsoft has also posted direct download l

How to use command prompt to repair Windows 11? 1. Enter the command prompt through the recovery environment: enter the recovery environment through USB boot or three consecutive interrupts, and then select Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt; 2. Use DISM to repair the system image: Run DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/CheckHealth to check for corruption, DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth scanning problem, DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth to repair the problem, and specify an external source if necessary; 3. Run SF
