The Windows File Explorer search box is a powerful tool that helps you quickly find files and folders on your computer. This feature is incredibly useful when searching for specific documents or media files and can save users significant time.
Unfortunately, it's a nightmare when the File Explorer search box fails to function properly. The time wasted, and lack of access to needed files can be highly stressful! It is unclear why this issue may occur; several solutions can help you.
In this article, we'll look at how to fix the File Explorer search box not working in Windows. We'll also review the most common causes of the File Explorer search box not working and help you get back to finding your files in no time.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Windows File Explorer Search Box?
- Common Causes of the File Explorer Search Box Not Working
- How to Fix the Windows File Explorer Search Box
- Fix Your Search Options in File Explorer
- Restart the Windows Search Service
- Enable Search Indexing
- Run the Search Indexing Troubleshooter
- Rebuild the Search Index
- Fix Folder Permissions
- Update Windows
- Join the Windows Insider Program
- Use a Third-party App (Optional)
What Is the Windows File Explorer Search Box?
The file explorer search box in Windows is a tool that allows users to locate files and folders on their computer quickly. It is a feature of the File Explorer window, a built-in file management tool in Windows operating systems. Users can enter search terms into the search box to initiate a search, and the search function will scan the contents of indexed files to find matches.
The search box is an essential feature of File Explorer because it allows users to find files and folders quickly and easily. When a user enters a search term into the search box, the search function scans indexed file contents to find matches. Users can search for specific file names or files containing particular words or phrases. The search function can also be customized for specific locations or file types.
Overall, the File Explorer search box is a valuable tool for anyone who needs to find files or folders on their computer quickly and efficiently. Whether looking for a specific file or just trying to clean up your computer, the search box can help you easily find what you're looking for.
Common Causes of the File Explorer Search Box Not Working
There are many reasons why the search box in File Explorer is greyed out, not working, or displays no search results. Sometimes, it might display search results that don't match your entered term.
The File Explorer not working in Windows can be attributed to several factors; you should look out for a few.
- Indexing issues: The search box relies on the Windows indexing service to quickly locate files and folders. If this service is not running or has become corrupted, it can cause the search box to fail.
- Incorrect permissions: Your user account may not have the correct access to the searched files. Check if the user account has access to the appropriate folders and files.
- Problems with Windows Search service: If the Windows Search Service is disabled or not working correctly, it could prevent the search box from functioning.
- Outdated Windows version: An outdated or corrupted version of Windows can cause the search box to stop working correctly. You should ensure your computer is running the latest version of Windows before attempting to troubleshoot any issues with the search box.
How to Fix the Windows File Explorer Search Box
Now that you know the most common causes of the search box not working, here's how to fix it. The solutions below work on Windows 11 and 10; some steps may vary slightly depending on your operating system.
1. Fix Your Search Options in File Explorer
If your search options are misconfigured, File Explorer won't be able to use its search function properly. This happens if the option to search file names and contents is disabled. You might've turned it off yourself, or a third-party program might have done it for you. Luckily, this setting is easy to turn back on.
- Open File Explorer from your taskbar or press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut.
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Click on the three-dot menu in the toolbar, and then select "Options" from the context menu.
- Switch to the “Search” tab.
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Ensure the "Always search file names and contents" option is enabled. If it's not, click on the box next to it so that it shows a checkmark.
- Click the “Apply” button to finalize your changes.
Now, try searching in File Explorer again. You might experience slow performance for a few minutes, as Windows will index your files.
2. Restart the Windows Search Service
The Windows Search service is responsible for indexing files and folders for the search box. If it's disabled or not running correctly, your search results will be incomplete or nonexistent. To fix this, you can restart the service using the Services app in Windows.
- Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run utility.
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Type "services.msc" into the input field without quotes and click OK. This will open the Services applet.
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Find "Windows Search" from the list of services and right-click on it. Select "Properties" from the context menu.
- Set the Startup type to "Automatic."
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If available, click the "Stop" button, and wait for the service to stop.
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When the service stops or the Stop button is greyed out, click "Start."
- Click "Apply" and close the window.
After the Windows Search service starts, see if you can search using the File Explorer search box.
3. Enable File Indexing
File Indexing is a helpful feature in Windows that speeds up the search process by indexing files on your computer. If it's disabled, File Explorer won't be able to find any results when you use the search box. You must enable this feature to search files on your computer efficiently.
- Open File Explorer from your taskbar or press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut.
- Navigate to the folder you want to search. This can be Documents, Downloads, or any specific folder.
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Click on the three-dot menu in the File Explorer toolbar and select "Properties" from the context menu.
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Switch to the “General” tab, then click the “Advanced” button.
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Enable the “Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties” option.
- Click OK to close the window.
4. Run the Search Indexing Troubleshooter
Windows has various troubleshooting tools that help you resolve various issues on your computer. The Search Indexing Troubleshooter is one tool that can diagnose and fix problems with Windows Search.
- Open your Start menu and click on the Settings icon. Alternatively, use the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to bring up the Settings applet.
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Select "System" from the available options, then click "Troubleshoot."
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Click the "Other troubleshooters" button. This will redirect you to the full list of available troubleshooters.
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Find "Search and Indexing" in the list, and click the "Run" button. The troubleshooter will start diagnosing and fixing your search index issues automatically.
After running the troubleshooter, see if you can use the search box.
5. Rebuild the Search Index
If the search index of your system is corrupted, File Explorer won't be able to find any results when you use the search box. You can rebuild the index to fix this issue. Rebuilding the search index can take some time, so it's best to do it when you don't need your computer for anything else.
- Open your taskbar's search interface or press the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
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Search for "Control Panel" and open the applet from the best match result.
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Click on "Indexing Options." Ensure your viewing mode is set to "Large icons" for this option.
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Click the "Advanced" button. Take note that you'll need an administrator account to modify settings here.
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Stay on the "Index Settings" tab, and click the "Rebuild" button. You can find this in the Troubleshooting section.
Allow some time for Windows to rebuild the search index. This could take up to several minutes. When the process finishes, see if you can search using File Explorer.
6. Fix Folder Permissions
It may not appear in your search results if you can't access a folder because of restricted permissions. Modifying the settings to allow yourself full access will allow you to search for the folder and its contents.
- Open File Explorer from your taskbar or by using the Windows + E keyboard shortcut, and navigate to the folder you want to search.
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Right-click on the folder, and choose "Properties" from the context menu.
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Switch to the "Security" tab and select "Users (DesktopName\Users)" from the group and user list, then click on the "Edit" button.
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Select "Users" again and enable the "Full control" option. If not, click on the box to place a checkmark, then click the "Apply" button.
- Click "OK" to close the window. Try searching the folder now.
7. Update Windows
Windows updates roll out regularly and often address bugs and compatibility issues. Ensure you're running the latest version of Windows to avoid any problems with the search box.
How to Update Windows 10
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen to bring up the Start menu. Choose “Settings,” or use the Windows + I shortcut.
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Navigate to “Update & Security” > “Windows Update.” Click the “Check for updates” button and wait for Windows to find available updates. If any updates are displayed, click the “View all optional updates” link to see and install them.
- When Windows finds a new update, it’ll automatically start installing on your computer. Wait for Windows to download and apply the necessary updates.
How to Update Windows 11
- Click the Windows icon in the screen's bottom-left corner to open the Start menu, then select “Settings.” You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows + I.
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Switch to the “Windows Update” tab using the left menu, then click the “Check for updates” button. Windows will automatically detect if there’s a new update compatible with your device.
- If a new update is available, allow Windows to install it, and then follow the instructions to restart your computer.
8. Join the Windows Insider Program
If updating Windows didn't work, you can join the Windows Insider Program, which offers pre-release versions of Windows with the latest features and updates. This may help you resolve any issues with the search box through exclusive updates.
- Open the Start menu icon in the bottom left-hand corner and click the "Settings" icon. Alternatively, use the Windows + I shortcut.
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In the Settings app, click the "Windows Update" menu, and select the "Windows Insider Program" option.
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Click the "Get Started" button on the next page.
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Choose the account you want to link to join the program, then click "Continue."
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Choose your preferred Insider level, either "Dev Channel" for the earliest access to new features, "Beta Channel" for more stable releases, or "Release Preview Channel" for final testing before the official release.
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After selecting your preferred Insider level, click "Continue" until you reach the last page. To complete the registration process, click “Restart now.”
- Restart your PC to apply any changes.
Congratulations! You've successfully joined the Windows Insider Program for Windows 11. Now, you'll receive early access to new features and updates before they're released to the general public.
9. Use a Third-party App (Optional)
Don't give up on finding that important file. Even if the search box in File Explorer is giving you trouble, you can always try using a third-party app to search for it. Applications like Everything are a great alternative and might help you locate your needs.
Conclusion
The Windows File Explorer search box is an excellent tool for quickly finding the files and folders you need. However, it can be incredibly frustrating if it stops working. Thankfully, with the tips outlined above, you should be able to get your search box up and running in no time.
We hope this guide helped the Windows File Explorer search box to work again. If you have any other tips or tricks, please let us know!
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