Fix Broken Search Box in Windows 11 File Explorer After Applying UndockingDisabled Tweak

This tutorial will help you if:

  • You want to restore classic Search box in Windows 11 File Explorer with instant search results feature
  • You restored classic Taskbar and other classic UI features in Windows 11 and it broke the Search box in File Explorer. Now you want to make the Search box functional again.

Let’s discuss both cases and the resolution in details:

PROBLEM 1: New Updated Search Box in File Explorer has Issues

Windows 10 and Windows 11 come with a new updated Search box experience in File Explorer which is powered by Windows Search and comes with built-in integration with OneDrive.

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But the new Search box comes with lots of UI glitches and limitations which we mentioned in details in following article:

[Review] New Updated Search Box in File Explorer in Windows 10

The article was written for Windows 10 but the same feature exists in Windows 11 File Explorer too.

The new Search box doesn’t support instant search results. It also doesn’t allow users to delete recent search entries from the drop-down box. Also there are some UI and performance issues as mentioned in above article.

That’s why many Windows 10 and Windows 11 users want to restore classic Search box in File Explorer.

With the help of the solution given in this article, you’ll be able to restore old classic Search box in Windows 11 File Explorer as shown in following screenshot:

Restoring_Classic_Search_Box_Windows_11_File_Explorer.png

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PROBLEM 2: Restoring Classic Taskbar Breaks the Search Box in File Explorer

There is a popular Registry tweak available to restore Windows 10 style classic Taskbar in Windows 11. This tweak requires creating a new key UndockingDisabled in Registry Editor.

We have posted a detailed tutorial about this tweak at following link:

[Tip] Restore Windows 10 Classic Taskbar in Windows 11 along with Classic Start Menu

This tweak successfully restores classic Taskbar, context menu (right-click menu) and File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11.

BUT applying this tweak breaks the Search box in Windows 11 File Explorer. The Search box becomes not responding and just gets stuck. Nothing happens if you try to click inside the search box. It just becomes not-clickable.

Many users who restore classic Taskbar in Windows 11 using the above mentioned UndockingDisabled registry trick, want to fix the broken Search box in File Explorer and want to make it working again.

The solution given below will help you in fixing the broken Search box in Windows 11 File Explorer after implementing UndockingDisabled registry tweak to restore classic Taskbar as shown in following screenshot:

Fixing_Broken_Search_Box_After_Restoring_Classic_Taskbar_Windows_11.png

SOLUTION to Fix Broken Search Box and Restore Classic Search Box in Windows 11 File Explorer

Here is 100% working solution to both the above mentioned problems.

In 2020, we posted a tutorial to restore classic Search box in Windows 10 File Explorer and fortunately, the same solution still works in Windows 11 File Explorer.

Once you apply the solution, it’ll restore classic Search box in Windows 11 File Explorer. Also if you applied UndockingDisabled tweak to restore classic Taskbar in Windows 11, this solution will fix the not functional Search box and will make it fully functional again.

The solution has been given in following article:

[Tip] Restore Old Classic Search Box in Windows 10 File Explorer (This PC)

For your convenience, we are providing the solution here again:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3. In right-side pane, look for ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin DWORD. Make sure its value is set to 0

In our Windows 11 device, the value was already set to 0. If the value of ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin is different in your machine, double-click on the DWORD and change its value to 0

4. Again look for EnableLUA DWORD. By default, the value of EnableLUA is set to 1 in all Windows 11 devices. Double-click on the DWORD and change its value to 0

Making_Broken_Search_Box_Working_Again_Windows_11_Classic_File_Explorer.png

PS: If any of the above mentioned DWORDs don’t exist in your Windows 11 device, you’ll need to create it manually. Right-click on empty area and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value option. Set the name of DWORD as mentioned above and keep the value as 0.

5. You must restart your computer to apply changes. Killing (End task) Explorer will not work.

Restart your computer and after reboot, open File Explorer and get ready to enjoy fully functional old classic Search box experience in Windows 11.

In future, if you want to restore default settings and new Search box UI and behavior, restore values of ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin and EnableLUA DWORDs in Registry Editor.

Also Check:

[Tip] Restore Full Classic Context Menu in Windows 11

[Tip] Restore Classic File Explorer with Ribbon in Windows 11

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 11

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Setting UndockingDisabled restored the classic (Win.10 style) taskbar, but as you said it disabled Search and the Start menu. But your suggested “fix” (setting ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin and EnableLUA to 0) do not restore the search box and start menu – they disable User Account Control.

    Windows 11 Pro Version 21H2 (OS Build 22000.556)

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