Search was working partially after a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro: some files from C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Apps would be displayed in the Search window started from Windows-S (for example "Mozilla Firefox"), while others in the same folder would not (for example "KeePass"). 1) What determines which Apps will show up in Windows Search? (What could explain the different behavior?) Unfortunately I broke Settings Search as well while toying around (perhaps when disabling indexing on the C: drive, although reverting that did not solve this problem). "External" entries are found, but "internals" are not. For example when I search for "update" in the (modern) Settings App, I get "Update device drivers" and "View installed updates" (which both open in the old interface), but not "Windows Update" (which should appear within the new Settings App). 2) How can I fix search withing Settings? Note: Windows is installed in English, but my region is not. Cortana is not supported in my country. I have DuckDuckGo'd but did not find a solution that works for me. Since there are some knowledgeable people here I hope someone can point me in the right direction.
I think it may have something to do with the indexing. By default, the Users folder and the Start Menu are the only indexed folders, but AppData is excluded. So maybe a shortcut to Firefox exists in an indexed folder while KeePass's shortcut does not. FWIW, I pinned KeePass to the Start Menu so there is a tile for it, and its location is C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. But, some of my shortcuts are under AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. I'm not sure why some get placed there, but I think that for all of those, I had to go directly to the executable file (in File Explorer) to pin it - for example: Notepad, Group Policy Editor, and Regedit. For the other shortcuts, I was able to pin them by going to "All Apps" within the Start Menu itself.
Seems to be a common issue, with no definitive solution: https://superuser.com/questions/950009/windows-10-cortana-search-is-not-finding-apps Less common, but with a (surprising) solution: https://superuser.com/questions/958279/windows-10-settings-not-indexed Any other tips for issue #1?
There seems to be a lot of issues with the start menu. Mine works occasionally. Ending the task in task manager prompts and automatic restart of cortana only after which it works. Accessing the settings pane in cortana freezes cortana as well. Short of a system reset I have done every possible solution I could find. IMO Cortana not ready for prime time, hopefully these bugs will get fixed after the first major update if not in a cumulative KB update. Good luck. Regards.
I don't use Cortana but when Search stops working I kill it it Task Manager which mostly gets it going again.
I have noticed that--- Shut down & start the system - Search works fine. Restart the system - Sometimes search doesn't works. So guess there is a bug or something with system restart & search.
Mine is Win 10 64 fresh install. Search & settings search are working fine here I have Cortana & Web results disabled. Language English & Country India