Windows search doesn't work - you can do that

If the Windows search no longer works, no or only incomplete results are displayed. After following these tips, the search should work properly again:

Tip 1: Restart the search service

First of all, you should check whether the service responsible for the search is configured correctly and is currently running. Even if the service is already active, it can help to briefly switch it off and on again:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and click on "Administrative Tools" and then "Services". You may have to switch to the symbol view first.
2. Search for the entry "Windows Search" and double-click on it.
3. Make sure that the start type is set to "Automatic" or "Automatic (delayed start)". You can also run the service for the current session by clicking "Start". Otherwise you have to restart Windows.
4. If the service has already been run, you can stop it for a moment by clicking "Stop" and then start it again.

Tip 2: Rebuild the search index

Even if the Windows search service is active, files and folders may still not appear in the search results. It is usually sufficient to rebuild the search index:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and then the "Indexing Options" entry.
2. Select the item "Advanced".
3. In the Troubleshoot area, click the "Create New" button to delete and re-create the search index. Note that this process can take a while.

Tip 3: Add more folders to the search

If the search results are incomplete, it may be that certain files or folders were not included in the search index. Then simply add the folders to be searched in the indexing options:

1. Run the Control Panel and click on the "Indexing Options". A new window opens in which the locations to be indexed are listed. Click on "Change" here.
2. Now tick all the locations on your hard drives that are to be recorded by Windows Search. You accept your changes with the OK button.

Tip 4: Run the troubleshooter

Windows also has a search troubleshooter that detects and automatically fixes various errors:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and then the "Indexing Options".
2. First select "Advanced" and then "Troubleshoot Search and Indexing" in the new window. Select the applicable items and click "Next". Wait until the analysis is complete and follow the further instructions.

In Windows 10, the search appears on the taskbar by default. You can read how to remove the search from the taskbar in our next practical tip.