File Explorer is a Windows’ file management utility that helps us to search for documents, image, music, software and more. Quite recently, people have been reported about file explorer search not working in windows 10. The File Explorer returns a message that says “No Items match your search” even when they assure that there is certainly some files that match the keywords entered.
Sometimes, some minor bugs or glitches result in this issue that automatically gets fixed by restarting the Windows Explorer. However, if this method does not work in your case, there is a possibility that the File Explorer is crashing and that can be caused due to missing updates.
Sometimes, the issue occurs because Search indexing is not turned on the Windows OS. You should therefore make sure enable this feature. You should run app troubleshooter as the next solution to deal with the app related issues.
Below, we have mentioned all possible solutions in sequence manner. You can automate this process the fixing process by using automatic PC Repair Tool. This tool will be effective when the problem occurs because of system corruptions, problems with EXES and DLL, app-malfunctions and so on.
Possible fixes for file explorer search not working in windows 10
Fix 1: Restart file Explorer
- Press Ctrl+ Shift + Esc to enter Task Manager,
- Click on the Arrow to expand it,
- Now, under the Processes tab, select Windows Explorer,
- Finally, click Restart button.
Fix 2: Troubleshoot Search and Indexing
- Open Settings from the Search menu,
- Click on Update & Security and select Troubleshoot,
- Then, select Search and Indexing and click ‘Run the troubleshooter’,
- Perform the needed actions and see if the problem continues.
Fix 3: Rebuild Search Indexing
- Press Win+ R, type in Control Panel and then click Enter,
- Go to the All Control Panel Items,
- Click on Indexing and choose Advanced,
- Press on ‘Rebuild’ option now and then click Ok to confirm.
Fix 4: Select the Index Properties and File Contents option
- Reach to the ‘Advanced’ option of Indexing Options window from the steps described above,
- Click on File Types and select Index Properties and File Contents radio button,
- Finally, press Ok and see if file explorer search not working in windows 10 problems is gone.
Fix 5: Check if Windows Search Service is enabled
- Press Win+ R, type in services.msc and hit Enter,
- Double-click on Windows Search,
- Select Advanced on the startup type,
- Click Start,
- Select Apply and confirm with OK.
Fix 6: Grant necessary system permissions to a folder
If the problem occurs for certain specific folder, you should check if the folder has system permissions:
- Open File Explorer,
- Right-click on the folder that you can’t search for and go to its properties,
- Under the Security tab, make sure Group or user name box include SYSTEM,
- If it is not, click on Edit button and press Add,
- In the opened Select Users or Group Window, Enter SYSTEM and enter the object names box,
- Click on the Check Names, and press Ok,
- Now, select Read & execute, read and List folder contents checkboxes under Allow column within Permissions of System box,
- Then, select Apply and confirm with Ok.
Conclusion
That’s all! We are now rounding off this article. Hope that, the solutions provided are really helpful for you to get the fix for file explorer search not working in windows 10. Remember that, File Explorer is not the only file searcher software available. There are different software offers the same functionality. You can look for one such as alternative.
