Cortana: Search doesn't work - it could be because of that

Your search may not work with Cortana. We show you in this post how you can solve the problem in Windows 10.

Cortana: Search doesn't work - you can do that

Sometimes not all relevant folders are considered in the search. You can add files and folders afterwards:

1. Press the key combination "Win" + "R".
2. Access the indexing options by typing "control.exe srchadmin.dll".
3. Choose "Change".
4. Folders can now be added or removed from the search by ticking them.
5. You can also send Windows for troubleshooting from the indexing options. To do this, click on "Advanced".
6. Now the indexing settings open. Here you can access the troubleshooting for search and indexing.
7. Make your selection and then click "Next".
8. If Windows finds an error, follow the suggested troubleshooting steps.

Cortana only displays search results from the web

If Cortana only delivers web results, there is probably a tick in the settings:

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the entry "C: \ Users \ YourName \ AppData \ Local \ Packages \ windows.immersivecontrolpanel_cw5n1h2txyewy".
3. If you don't see AppData, you must first show hidden folders.
4. Right click on "LocalState" and open the properties.
5. Click on "Advanced" in the "General" tab.
6. Check to see if "Allow files in this folder to be indexed in addition to file properties" is checked.
7. If not, check the box and confirm with "OK".
8. Accept the entry "Changes for subfolders".
9. Windows now updates the index. This may take some time.
10. You should then be shown the results in the search that were not previously output.

Restart Cortana using Task Manager

Sometimes it can also help to simply restart Cortana:

1. Either press the key combination "Ctrl" + "Shift" + "ESC" or open the Task Manager by right-clicking on the task bar.
2. Find the entry for Cortana and end the program with a right click.
3. The program now restarts automatically.

You can completely reset Cortana's settings. You can read how to do this in the next practical tip.