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Searches for numbers don't work.

Searches for numbers don't work. I re-indexed everything (took several days), but when I search for numbers (within a file), it will not return any results. This worked fine in Windows 10. For instance, I want to find all the files with the number "333" and it says no results found when I know there are files with "333" in them.

Hi Diane. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

First select what you want indexed for fastest searching in Windows 11 and rebuild the index based on those changes, then if the problem persists I'll help you fix Search in the subsequent steps.

Here's how to configure and then rebuild the Index to prepare for fast searches in Windows 11:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-configure-indexing-options-settings-for-windows-11-search

https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/26/how-to-manage-search-indexing-on-windows-11/

Once you have everything selected you want to be searched and rebuilt the Index per the above tutorials and it should work now.

If not then try these repairs to fix Search not working in Windows 11:

https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-11/windows-11-search-not-working-try-these-10-fixes/

https://www.webnots.com/how-to-fix-windows-11-search-not-working-issue/

https://allthings.how/7-ways-to-fix-windows-11-search-not-working/

https://windowsreport.com/windows-11-search-bar-not-working/ (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://thegeekpage.com/windows-11-search-not-working/

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-search-not-working-in-windows-11-5191397

https://appuals.com/search-bar-not-working-windows-11/

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://www.maketecheasier.com/windows-11-search-bar-not-working/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HEJj4oyjlQ

If you want to go back to Windows 10 then you have ten days to roll it back as shown here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/751145/how-to-downgrade-from-windows-11-to-windows-10/.

If you're unsure and it's still within the 10 day period, you can extend it as shown here:

https://www.droidwin.com/extend-10-day-windows-11-rollback-downgrade-period/

Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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I appreciate your prompt assistance. These instructions are for Windows 10. I need instructions for Windows 11. To the best of my ability, I have translated the instructions, and the search still does not return numbers which are in the files.

MS should give instructions for Windows 11, not Windows 10, and they should not have released 11 until the support instructions were sufficient.

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Diane, the fixes are the same for WIndows 11 which is basically Windows 10 with a new graphical interface. However I did find these other fixes that are working in Windows 11:
First select what you want indexed for fastest searching in Windows 11 and rebuild the index based on those changes, then if the problem persists I'll help you fix Search in the subsequent steps.
See here how to configure and then rebuild the Index to prepare for fast searches in Windows 11:


https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-configure...  

https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/26/how-to-manage...
Once you have everything selected you want to be searched and rebuilt the Index per the above tutorials and it should work now.
If not then try these repairs to fix Search not working in Windows 11:


https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-11/windows-11-...


https://www.webnots.com/how-to-fix-windows-11-s...  https://allthings.how/7-ways-to-fix-windows-11-...
https://windowsreport.com/windows-11-search-bar...  
(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)
https://thegeekpage.com/windows-11-search-not-w...
https://www.lifewire.com/fix-search-not-working...


https://appuals.com/search-bar-not-working-wind... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)
https://www.maketecheasier.com/windows-11-searc...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HEJj4oyjlQ


If you want to go back to Windows 10 then you have ten days to roll it back as shown here:

https://www.howtogeek.com/751145/how-to-downgra....
If you're unsure and it's still within the 10 day period, you can extend it as shown here:

https://www.droidwin.com/extend-10-day-windows-...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.
______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

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Last updated April 26, 2024 Views 222 Applies to: