Windows Search Can't find "Programs and Features'," and other items.

nematode · 16 Aug 2020

Hi all,

For ages I've been unable to search for "programs and features" and other control panel items through Windows Search, but not all of them. I figured that after updating to the most recent windows feature update, something might reset to resolve this problem but to no avail (current winver: Windows 10 Home OS Build: 19041.450). So, I've finally decided to reach out to you guys in a desperate plea for help - please help! (see image below).

Windows Search Can't find "Programs and Features'," and other items.-fail.png

Control Panel Items that are missing from search are: Autoplay, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), Date and Time, Default Programs, Devices and Printers, Ease of Access Center, Programs and Features, Networking Center, etc. etc. etc. However, not all CP items are involved. For example, Device manager or Windows Mobility Center work just fine.

I've also noticed that this is a problem on my father's desktop, and my other desktop computer (although I've used the same microsoft account for both).

In the past I've tried:
1. rebuilding the index
2. creating a new user account
3. turning the WIndows Search service on and off again, and making it start automatically.
4. disabling Cortana (currently it's on).

Of course, I can always just search for Control Panel and do it the old fashioned way, or click "Apps and Features > Programs and Features," amongst other methods but I prefer searching straight from the search. Does anyone have any insight into this problem? I'd rather not do a refresh of Windows for this, particularly since I've seen this problem in other PCs.

Thank you all!

kado897 · 17 Aug 2020

nematode said:

Hi all,

For ages I've been unable to search for "programs and features" and other control panel items through Windows Search, but not all of them. I figured that after updating to the most recent windows feature update, something might reset to resolve this problem but to no avail (current winver: Windows 10 Home OS Build: 19041.450). So, I've finally decided to reach out to you guys in a desperate plea for help - please help! (see image below).

Control Panel Items that are missing from search are: Autoplay, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), Date and Time, Default Programs, Devices and Printers, Ease of Access Center, Programs and Features, Networking Center, etc. etc. etc. However, not all CP items are involved. For example, Device manager or Windows Mobility Center work just fine.

I've also noticed that this is a problem on my father's desktop, and my other desktop computer (although I've used the same microsoft account for both).

In the past I've tried:
1. rebuilding the index
2. creating a new user account
3. turning the WIndows Search service on and off again, and making it start automatically.
4. disabling Cortana (currently it's on).

Of course, I can always just search for Control Panel and do it the old fashioned way, or click "Apps and Features > Programs and Features," amongst other methods but I prefer searching straight from the search. Does anyone have any insight into this problem? I'd rather not do a refresh of Windows for this, particularly since I've seen this problem in other PCs.

Thank you all!

I think this is probably part of Microsoft's plan to migrate all control panel items into the Settings App. I don't see anything in the Indexing options to include any Control Panel items.

Ghot · 17 Aug 2020

nematode said:

Of course, I can always just search for Control Panel and do it the old fashioned way, or click "Apps and Features > Programs and Features," amongst other methods but I prefer searching straight from the search. Does anyone have any insight into this problem? I'd rather not do a refresh of Windows for this, particularly since I've seen this problem in other PCs.

Thank you all!

Alternatively, you can left click on the Start button, scroll down and left click on Windows System, then left click and hold on Control Panel, and drag and drop it to your Task Bar.

kado897 · 17 Aug 2020

As another alternative. If you open Control panel in Icon View you can right click and create shortcuts to the items you want.

Bree · 17 Aug 2020

nematode said:

Control Panel Items that are missing from search are: Autoplay, Backup and Restore (Windows 7), Date and Time, Default Programs, Devices and Printers, Ease of Access Center, Programs and Features, Networking Center, etc. etc. etc. However, not all CP items are involved. For example, Device manager or Windows Mobility Center work just fine.

That has been the case for a while now. Control Panel functions for which there is a Settings equivalent that MS would prefer you to use do not appear in the Search results. I see the same thing in both 1909 and 2004. There is no Settings equivalent for Device Manager (yet).

A workaround, assuming you have used Program and Features at least once before, is to search for Control Panel instead, then pick it from the 'Recent' list.

Windows Search Can't find "Programs and Features'," and other items.-image.png

nematode · 17 Aug 2020

Thanks guys, I was afraid this was part of Microsoft changing their GUI but didn't want to believe it lol. It's frustrating because the Settings App isn't mature enough yet.

I also can't believe that I didn't think to simply add "programs and features" onto my start menu as a shortcut.

Thanks again!

- - - Updated - - -

I found another work around, which I think restores the functionality I was hoping to achieve by creating a Programs and Features shortcut and placing it into the start menu directory under %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs. I'm sure you could do the same for other Control Panel items. Just posting on here in case anyone else had the same problem I did.