Windows Vista and 7 comes with instant search feature which allows you to search for files and programs quickly and easily within Windows Explorer or Start menu.
You just need to type the desired search keyword in search box and Windows Search starts showing the results instantly.
Sometimes Windows Search doesn't work as expected. It doesn't show proper result and sometimes doesn't show any result at all. Sometimes Windows Search crashes or fails to start as soon as you start searching for something. It might also show error messages. When Windows Search crashes or fails to start or doesn't show results, an event ID 7042, 100, 1000, 1006, 3024 or 7040 is also logged in Windows Event log.
It might be due to incorrect search settings or corrupted search index database. There are manual ways to repair the settings or index using search settings window or Control Panel.
Today we are going to share an automatic Fix It released by Microsoft which helps you in fixing almost all kind of issues related to Windows Search. It automatically repairs Windows Search problems, such as database corruption, crashes and startup failures.
This automatic Fix it fixes following issues:
- Windows Search doesn't show results
- Windows Search crashes or fails
- Windows Search doesn't start or gives error message
- Other general problems related with Windows Search
This Fix it automatically resets and repairs the search database and restarts Windows Search service in Windows. This enables Windows to re-index all files and resolve the problem.
You can download Windows Search Fix it using following direct download link:
Download Fix it for Windows Search
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles.
Mike
How do you fix this manually ?
Kapil Arya
@ Mike, By hypothesis...
Delete HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}
Anonymous Coward
Or if you just can't take the bashing your head against the desk induced headache any more try something like:
Agent Ransack: agentransack.com or Everything: voidtools.com
Mike
@Kapil Arya
I didn't locate " {ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6} " under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes. But I did locate {ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6} under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes
Kapil Arya
@ Mike, Apologies if you don't find the key there. Anyway you have another option here...
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
Find Start_SearchFiles : Change value from "0" to "2".
Verify : Type regedit (not regedit.exe) and you will get registry editor in instant search results :)
Rishabh
hello vishal when i installing windows developer preview driver installtion error comes what i do pls solve my problem.
Mike
@ Kapil Arya
I checked HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Advanced Start_SearchFiles already had the value of 2 . Still having same issue.
Kapil Arya
@ Mike, Is your system really facing the issue?
B'coz reviewing your both comments clearly implies that there is no bug in your search box...
Mike
@Kapil Arya
Well my windows search service wont start. I get an error
Windows could not start the Windows Search service on Local Computer.
Error 1613: This installation package cannot be installed by the Windows Installer service. You must install a Windows service pack that contains a newer version of the Windows Installer service.
I can't locate my files(.jpg.doc,txt ) inside the search box inside the StartMenu . But I could find anything that has to do with applictions or Windows Files.
Kapil Arya
Ok....
Navigate to C:\windows\system32\config\TxR and delete the files with .BLF and .REGTRANS-MS extension(they are hidden files) .
Once deleted, reboot and Windows Search Service will automatically progress.