Can't open files from Windows Search Bar

I usually open some of my files by searching their name in windows and then clicking them. This feature stopped working after I did an update on Windows.

My previous version was 1803 and the new version is 1809. I am on Windows 10 Pro 64 bit.

After I click search icon, the area that shows results also got bigger, having an additional area for options about the item selected.

I have tried multiple file types and multiple files for each type. No document files can be opened by clicking, selecting open from the options on the right or right clicking. I fact, when I right click there is only 2 options, Open File Location, Copy Full Path. The Open option is not there, not even grayed out.

I have checked that:

I have a program, multiple actually, to open those files.

I have a default program to open those files.

I can't open files including .txt, .pdf, .html from search bar, but can from their file location.
I can open Applications from search bar fine.

I am reluctant to update Windows again, because every time I do, a bunch of random stuff happens and I don't get notified and have to find out when I need them. I get my settings lost, games broken, features disabled...

Please advice some solutions that doesn't require me to update. Because I can mount some non-Iso virtual disk files now and people say I can't if I update.

Thanks.

Edit: I couldn't do solution 3 right away. DISM code gave an error so I ran "Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup" before the one with "/restorehealth" in the solution below. Then I did Solution 3. Then did a restart.

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Answer

Joseph Y. M.

Independent Advisor

Hi yunusemre8 and thanks for reaching out. My name is Joseph. I'm an independent advisor. I'll be happy to help you out today.

I would suggest you refer to the below steps and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

Solution 1. Troubleshoot.

1. Press the Windows key type in, "Troubleshoot Settings" and click on it.
2. Then click on "Search and Indexing" and run the troubleshooter.

Solution 2. Method 2: Windows Explorer.

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete).
2. Click on the Processes tab, locate "Windows Explorer" right-click on it and select "Restart".

Solution 3. Run DISM & SFC.

1. Press the Windows key, type in CMD right-click and click on "Run as an administrator".
2. Copy-paste: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Press Enter. Wait until it completes.
4. Copy-paste: sfc /scannow
5. Press enter. Wait until it completes.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402652...

Solution 4. Do a repair install of Windows 10 with an in-place upgrade.

Summary

If your Windows 10 installation is demonstrating unusual behavior such as built-in apps not working or launching, you can perform a repair upgrade to fix the problem. A repair upgrade is a process of installing Windows 10 over the existing installation of Windows 10 on your hard disk, using Windows 10 installation media. Performing this can repair broken operating system files while preserving your personal files, settings and installed applications.

You may try following these steps. Check this video tutorial for detailed instructions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l06XupVqH74

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let me know how it goes.

Thank you!

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