Windows Explorer Search not working

[jmt356]

Any search I perform in Windows Explorer Search returns no results, even when I know that hte result I am looking for is in the folder I am searching.

I already tried restarting, but with no effect. Any other suggestions?

[HansV]

See if "Find and fix problems with Windows Search" on How to use Microsoft easy fix solutions helps.

[DaveA]

Are you sure that you are not just searching the "Indexed" area?
Look at the options when doing a search.

[jmt356]

I restarted my computer again and search is now working.

[ChrisGreaves]

I already tried restarting, but with no effect. Any other suggestions?

I have this problem, too, Win7HP.
Typically I u/l some JPG images from my camera and then look for them. They appear in search some time later.
I suspect that Windows Indexing is not paying attention, or checks in only every hour or so.

I have d/l a "fix" from the link that Hans provided and will see if that improves things.

FWIW I make extensive use of Everything and FileSearchy

[jmt356]

This issue recurred today. It is folder-specific; when I search on my Desktop or in Documents in the Windows Explorers search bar, results appear, but when I search in my Google Drive folder, which is located in Desktop/, no search results appear.

[HansV]

From Re: Windows 7: Cannot Search the Google Drive Folder:

Finally fixed the problem. I was trying to apply the 'Include inheritable permissions' change to the Google Drive folder listed under 'FAVOURITES' which is a shortcut, rather than the actual folder in it's \Computer\Local Disk (C)\Users\<your name>\Google Drive\ location.
Go to the native location, right click 'Google Drive' > Security tab > Advanced > Click your username (mine showed <not inherited>) > Click 'Change Permissions' > Check the 'Include inheritable permissions...' box > Click ok.

Search indexing of Google Drive should then begin in the background.

Good luck.

[DaveA]

Have a read at https://www.howtogeek.com/173703/how-to ... d-to-know/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This should answer most of your questions about searching.

Better yet, go to https://www.voidtools.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and download and install the Everything Search Engine 1.4.1 Beta and you will never use any other local search app again. Be sure to get the right 32 or 64 bit for your machine(s).

Have a look at the "Advance search" under the Menu, Search.
This will search within a file.

[jmt356]

Hans, the link you posted takes me to https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!home" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, which does not have the content you posted.

I cannot follow the instructions on your post because Google Drive on my computer is different. Here is what I can do:
- Right click Google Drive
- Select Properties | Security tab | Advanced

Under Inherited from, "None" is annotated. There is an option to Enable inheritance, but I am not sure what that does.

Also, I just discovered that search results in Google Drive are totally random. I just conducted a test with two words, both of which matched items stored in Google Drive. The first one turned up several results, the second one turned up no results.

I went to Indexed locations and found that Users / / Google Drive was ticked, so the issue is not that Google Drive is being excluded by Windows indexing.

[HansV]

I have updated the link in my previous reply. Does it work for you now?

Apart from that, I don't know what to suggest, sorry.

[jmt356]

I have clicked on Enable inheritance and will see if that fixes the issue. If it doesn't, I will take another look at Hans's link.

[jmt356]

I tested a search in my Google Drive folder today and results were returned. I am not sure whether this was due to my clicking on Enable inheritance but I sure am glad it is working again. I'll repost if the search issue recurs.

[Fluffyone]

Method 1: End Cortana’s process
Method 2: Restart Windows Search service
Method 3: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
Method 4: Search the Contents of Your Files
Method 5: Rebuild Windows Search Index
Method 6: Re-register Cortana
Method 7: Create a New Administrator User Account
Method 8: Allow the Disk to be Indexed
Method 9: Run DISM to fix corrupt Windows files
Method 10: Repair Install Windows 10

[stuck]

Method 1: End Cortana’s process
...
Method 10: Repair Install Windows 10

First: this thread is two and half years old.
Second: this thread is about Windows 8.

Ken