style Spotlight Search on Mac Windows offers similar functionality for searching for files, apps, and folders. But what if Windows search fails or returns irrelevant results? You have no choice but to manually search for what you're looking for, which is time-consuming and unproductive. Instead, you can use the tricks below to fix Windows 11 search not working.
Windows 11 search is tightly integrated into the Start menu. You can press the Windows key on your keyboard and start typing to search for files on your computer. Let's fix search problems on your computer once and for all.
1. Add a search icon to your taskbar.
If you are having problems searching in Start Menu You also have another option for opening search. You can place a search shortcut on your taskbar and navigate through queries with a single click.
Note: By default, Windows 11 integrates search into the taskbar. You may have disabled it to free up space at the bottom.
Step 1: Click on Windows + I keys shortcut to open Windows Settings menu.
Step 2: go to the Personalization and select Taskbar.
Step 3: Activation Switch search.
Click the magnifying glass icon, and try to search for files and applications.
2. Run the troubleshooter to search.
Microsoft offers a built-in troubleshooting tool to find and fix problems with Windows Search. Here's how to use it and fix search that isn't working in Windows 11.
Step 1: turn on Windows Settings and go to System menu.
Step 2: Locate find the mistakes and resolve it and open Other troubleshooters and fixes from the following list.
Step 3: Scroll down and select running Next to Search and indexing.
Windows will run a troubleshooter and help you fix search problems on your PC.
3. Restart the search host services.
When you turn on your computer, Windows automatically starts the search services in the background. Sometimes, if the operating system fails to do this, search will not work. Follow the steps below and restart the Windows Search services using Task Manager.
Step 1: Right click on Windows key on Taskbar and select Task Management.
Step 2: Go to Details tab.
Step 3: Scroll to SearchHost.exe process.
Step 4: Right click on it and select finish the job.
Try searching for something on your computer and Windows will resume search services.
4. Improve search indexing
Are you having trouble finding files within folders? Windows may be using classic indexing, which only searches the Documents, Pictures, and Music folders. You need to make adjustments to the settings.
Step 1: turn on Windows Settings menu and go to Privacy and security.
Step 2: Locate Searching Windows within Windows Permissions List.
Step 3: Locate radio button next to Improved And close the list.
From now on, Windows will search your entire computer. This can result in high CPU usage and affect battery life.
5. Check excluded folders
If you tell Windows not to search certain folders, the data won't appear in search results. You can check the excluded folders and remove them if you like.
Step 1: Go to Privacy and security in Windows Settings (See steps above.)
Step 2: Click Search in Windows.
Step 3: Check which folders are excluded from search results. Select Three-dot list Next to the relevant folder and select removal.
Windows can now search all removed folders on your computer.
6. Restart Windows Search
If you're still having problems searching on your computer, you can restart the Windows Search service. Here's how.
Step 1: Click on Windows key and search for Services. press the . key Enter.
Step 2: Scroll down to WindowsSearch.
Step 3: Right click on it and select Reboot.
7. Clear device search history
If your computer is affected by corrupted search data, you may experience problems. Therefore, it's a good idea to clear your search history and start from scratch. However, after clearing your search history, your initial few searches will be a bit slow.
Step 1: Open Privacy and Security List in Windows Settings (Check the steps above).
Step 2: Locate Search permissions.
Step 3: Locate Clear device search history button.
8. Check indexed sites
When you have important files stored in C: drive or D: drive, you need to make sure that Windows search can index them.
Step 1: Click on Windows key and search for Indexing Options.
Step 2: Click Modification and enable local drive.
Click on OK -You are fine.
9. Windows 11 Update
The last resort to fixing search not working in Windows 11 is to update the software on your computer. Go to the Windows Update menu in Settings and install the pending update.
You can fly through search queries on Windows.
You don't need to remember file locations or clutter your taskbar with dozens of apps and games. Use Windows Search to access those apps and documents in no time.
