Windows Explorer Search Bar won't let me type in it

Xirix · 16 Jan 2020

I switched to 10 from 7 yesterday because of the support drop, trying to get things how I like it, but something appears to be wrong with specifically the search bar in Windows Explorer, sometimes it works fine, but then when I go to click on it, nothing happens at all, it won't let me type into it, and this seems to stick around until I restart the computer.

Not the greatest first impression..., Windows Pro 64 bit. version 1909 (18363.592)

dalchina · 16 Jan 2020

Hello, this is the very widely reported search problem introduced by MS in build 1909. Build 1903 is fine in this respect, as a quick (Google) search on 'file explorer search broken 1909' will tell you.

MS is said to be working on it.

I tried 1909, and reverted to build 1903 by uninstalling the 1909 enablement package. (A new approach to build update used by MS for the first time- a sort of Windows update).

Note that in 1903, valid search syntax is highlighted helpfully in blue. Not in 1909, where MS tried to be clever.

Xirix · 16 Jan 2020

Ah, I'm glad this is a common thing and not something that went wrong with my install or something.

Oddly enough though, I can't right click to uninstall said Enablement Package in the Installed Updates section, I can select basically all of them except that one, is there another method to get rid of this so I can roll back?

I would just wait for a fix, but some of these reports are from November, so who knows how long it'll be.

dalchina · 16 Jan 2020

Hi, KB4528760 is the enablement package. As I upgraded from 1903 to 1909 I was able to uninstall it. To be honest, I have no idea if that is possible having upgraded directly to 1909.

You can try the Control Panel, View Installed Updates.

KB4528760 CU Win 10 v1903 build 18362.592 & v1909 build 18363.592

Xirix · 16 Jan 2020

Ah, getting rid of that only made my version go down by a little bit, I think maybe I can't roll back then, well, I suppose I'll just have to put up with it for now, thanks for the quick help!

dalchina · 16 Jan 2020

18362.592 is the latest 1903 build.
How to uninstall Windows 10 version 1909, November 2019 Update • Pureinfotech

You could 'Go back to the previous build' - Win 7 - you have 10 days by default - then download a 1903 iso (Heidoc iso downloader), ugrade manually using that to 1903 and block upgrades.

Note: before all major changes make sure you have a current disk image, and use disk imaging routinely (e.g. Macrium Reflect free-paid + large enough external storage) - tirelessly recommended by tenforums members.

In Win 10 DO NOT use the deprecated Windows backup features there for compatibility only with Win 7.

RichardC · 16 Jan 2020

I've got 1909 Bulid18363.592 installed and the search box in file explorer is working fine. I much prefer Ultra Search though.

dalchina · 16 Jan 2020

Well you're lucky- see what the internet says as I said- so many complaints and other threads here on the topic- have you seen those?

Try typing this- in 1909 the syntax isn't highlighted as guidance (and it's needed!): - just one thing they broke:

Windows Explorer Search Bar won't let me type in it-1.png

Have a look at the reports, and come back with a point by point comparison with the behaviour on yours. It would be great to think it's been fixed..

Try3 · 16 Jan 2020

dalchina said:

It would be great to think it's been fixed..

dalchina,

No, the File explorer search problem remains. No blue text for recognised syntax, no dropdowns for date / kind / ...
I'm on Windows 10 Home x64 Version 1909 Build 18363.592

Denis

dalchina · 16 Jan 2020

I wasn't suggesting that it had been - merely being wishful. Do you support that point of view?

I don't think my use of English can be construed otherwise.