Many times, Windows search results don’t include what you want to search for. However, if you were searching for something on your desktop and Libraries, it would appear on the search results right away. The problem is not with the search but rather the list of files and folders Windows can index. In this post, let’s look at the classic problem—Windows 10 Start Menu Search not searching or working properly.
Windows Start Menu Search not searching or working
Windows 11/10 OS offers two types of searches — Classic and Enhanced search. We either need to add more folders to the classic search or use enhanced mode. If Windows Search is not working or able to find files on your PC then take these steps:
- Enable Enhanced Mode
- Add Folders to Class Search
- Remove excluded folders
- Run Windows Indexer Troubleshooter
1] Enable Enhanced Mode
You need to enable the Enhanced Search Mode, and configure the folders you want to be indexed.
2] Add Folders to Class Search
If you do not want to use Enhanced Search, then it’s a good idea to add folders that are important for you. You need to configure the Search Indexing Options. Go to Settings > Search > Classic > click on Customize search locations here.
In the pop-out window that it opens, click on Modify and add drives and folders where your most important folders are available. Once indexing is complete, Windows can find the file and display in the result.
Read: Windows Start Menu Search is slow
3] Remove excluded folders
If you are using Enhanced mode, but your files are still not appearing, then you should look at the excluded folder list. Under Search, there is a list of folders under the Excluded folder list. Click on the one you want to remove, and then click on the button that says Remove Excluded folders.
When using Classic search, you need to check if the index has restrictions on the file type. It is available in Advanced options > File Types. If you want to search for documents, you can also enable the Index Properties and File Contents. It should resolve the Windows not able to search for a file on PC problem.
Read: Windows Search not working
4] Run Windows Indexer Troubleshooter
If nothing works, it is about time that you use the Search Indexer Troubleshooter. It is available at the end of the Search settings. It will prompt you with a few questions and take appropriate action.
I hope these tips help you resolve your problem.
Helpful post: Windows Search Indexer is not working.
Why can’t I search anything on the Start menu?
If you can’t search using the Start menu, troubleshooting can help. Access the Troubleshooter by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters. Select “Search and Indexing,” then follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose and fix any issues.
Why is my search bar not searching?
Your Windows search bar issue is likely due to a problematic Windows update, interference from Bing, a stopped Windows Search service, or corrupted system files. To fix it, restart the search service, perform a system file check, or undo recent updates.
How do I fix the Start menu and search bar not working in Windows 11?
To fix the Start menu and search bar in Windows 11, try restarting your PC. If that doesn’t work, you can reset the Start menu by opening Windows PowerShell as an administrator and executing – Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "((_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}.
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