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File Explorer search not working in Windows 10 1909

Ever since I updated to Windows 10 1909 the Search Box in the File Explorer is completely unuseable. It shows a text cursor but I cannot click inside the box or type any text into it. Essentially it's a text box with no "wiring". 

Any ideas how to resolve this issue? I'm having to resort to using a third-party search app just to find files in my projects.

Kind regards

Byron

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Hi Byron,
I am Sumit, an Independent Advisor and a 2-Year Windows Insider MVP here to help.

Can you log this in the feedback hub and share the link? I can escalate that for you to the product team.

Send Feedback:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7054-send-f...

How to Share Feedback from Feedback Hub in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/130174-shar...

In the meantime, I can suggest you to rollback. I am not suggesting troubleshooting as I am seeing many cases regarding the same lately.

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2019/11/how-to...

Content on the above blog is written by a Microsoft MVP so it is safe. However, do watch out for the ads.
Sumit

Always include PC Specs, Make and Model of the device. Ensure all the latest quality updates have been installed. It may take multiple replies to reach a satisfactory answer.

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I wrote a .bat that taskkills file explorer. That seems to have fixed the problem, but its only a temporary fix. If you go into taskmgr and kill explorer.exe it should start working again. 

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Hi

Thanks for the response, here's my link to Feedback Hub: https://aka.ms/AA6m2oa.

Problem seems to be inconsistent, sometimes I am able to use the search, other times it won't let me click. This morning I was able to use it, but the text box appeared broken and misaligned. After a reboot, it returned to not working.

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I wrote a .bat that taskkills file explorer. That seems to have fixed the problem, but its only a temporary fix. If you go into taskmgr and kill explorer.exe it should start working again. 

Hi!

Tried this, it worked for a while as you said, but the box seemed misaligned and glitchy. After closing explorer, it stopped working again, so it's all over the place.

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Might want to roll back to 1903. It was far less glitchy. Microsoft should release an update at some point that will fix 1909. 

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I have escalated it, thank you for the patience.
Sumit

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Another user with the dodgy explorer search box in 1909. 50/50 whether it works, when it doesn't clicking on it does nothing, if I use CTRL F to force it to use the search box then I can type only one letter, typing letters then just replaces the previous one.

Rebooting will usually fix it but it randomly breaks during use for no apparent reason, plus it doesn't break in all windows, some work ok and others don't. Why change something that's worked for a hell of a long time and has never broken!. On top of it,  it doesn't auto search as you type and there is no easy way to remove the old search history. 

 

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Same problem here.

This all started with the 1909 update.

Restarting explorer.exe fixes it, but it's really annoying.

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Yeah I wrote a .bat that taskkills explorer.exe and i’ve just been reopening it. I’ve tried all the troubleshooting suggested and nothing fixes it for long. 

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Hi !

I confirm windows file search problems on all 6 computers in my office. It takes some time to write search criteria in the search window - it does not respond. Search suggestion are shown in a narrow column - barely visible. A quick solution to the problem could be very much appreciated. 

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Last updated April 11, 2024 Views 87,644 Applies to: