When searching in Windows 7 I only get a list of group headers for items but not the items themselves

Hello Christi,

 

This issue can be caused if an invalid registry key for the Start Menu grouping values gets written to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

 

The incorrect registry value is the GroupBy value,  the incorrect value is most often “System.Null” but can appear as other values. The correct value should be “System.StartMenu.Group”

 

You can resolve the issue by follow one of the methods below:

 

Method 1: Delete the entire key:

To browse to and delete the registry key follow the steps below:

 

1.       Click Start

2.       In the Search programs and files box, type regedit

3.       In the Programs list, click regedit.exe

 If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or click Continue.

4.       Browse to and click to select the following registry subkey:

5.       HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}

6.       In the left side of the window right-click GroupBy and click Modify

7.       Change the value to System.StartMenu.Group and click OK, then close the registry editor

 

You'll need to reboot your computer for this change to take effect.

 

Method 2: Add the correct value of GroupBy value:

Follow the steps below to add the correct value to the GroupBy value:

 

1.       Click Start

2.       In the Search programs and files box, type regedit

3.       In the Programs list, click regedit.exe

 If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or click Continue.

4.       Browse to and click to select the following registry subkey:

5.       HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

6.       In the left side of the window right-click GroupBy and click Modify

7.       Change the value to System.StartMenu.Group and click OK, then close the registry editor

 

You'll need to reboot your computer for this change to take effect.

Thanks

 

Bobby

 

You can get a supported hotfix that resolves this issue and should prevent it from happening again in the future. To get it, point your browser to the following website:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977380
then click on "View and request hotfix downloads" which is just above the beginning of the knowledge base article.

Hope this helps,

   Alexander Sklar
   Windows Sustaining Engineering - User Experience / Developer Experience Team
   http://blogs.msdn.com/asklar

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.