I'm on Windows 10. It's all up to date. When I click in the 'Type here to search' field, I can only type two characters before the search window disappears.
This is a fresh windows install and I don't know what is causing the problem. How can I start narrowing down what is going on?
I mean the Windows search section. The thing that says "Type here to search" in the Task bar.
Here:
If I type one more character, this disappears.
Hi, similar - well, close- here:
Windows Search using cortana closes 2 seconds after typing a single character and no result are displayed - Super User
Note how this effect may be restricted to your current user. Try creating a new user for test purposes and retry.
If the problem is specific to your current user, that link gives things that are probably NOT worth trying.
Let's consider Windows indexed search for a moment (which Cortana depends on in part).
Unfortunately Cortana does not allow you to search only for files etc or only the internet.
Try searching using file explorer. Does that work as it should? (I'm wondering if there's perhaps a problem with indexed search or the database).
You could try rebuilding the index database - e.g. via Control panel, Indexing options, Advanced.
Also here:
Cortana search bar issue - Microsoft Community
Thanks! I'm guessing that the second article is the answer. I have turned off many Windows features for privacy/performance reasons so perhaps this is the reason. Will test this out soon.
Ah.. maybe. The more you fiddle with Windows, the more likely you are to break things.
Some people are overly concerned about the idea of MS 'spying', I believe.
I'm still stuck on this and it's really frustrating. I just reinstalled Windows a few weeks ago because of constant problems. I don't want to have to reinstall again. The above links don't have a definitive answer. One thing recommends doing something at the group policy level, but I don't have a group policy. I have tried rebuilding my search index, but it did nothing.
I have been over my privacy and app settings etc. I can't find anything that could be related to Cortana, or search or so on that is not turned on.
Always have a way to go back to before you change things.I have turned off many Windows features for privacy/performance reasons so perhaps this is the reason.
The first thing I do if I clean install or upgrade- and before I upgrade- is to create or update my disk image. (E.g. Macrium Reflect (free) )
The routine use of disk imaging can help you recover quickly and easily from
- a failed disk
- user error
- a failed upgrade
- ransomware
etc.
I also try to keep a record of changes I make so I can revert or reproduce them.
The group policy editor is only present in Pro upwards, not Home, but is essentially a front end to the registry. If you search, there are posts about how to enable it in Home.
By way of an outside random chance you could try using two so-called privacy tools and use these to restore default settings. It just depends what you might have changed.
O&O ShutUp10 & Spybot Anti-beacon
Reinstalled Cortana using the following procedure:
1. Open an elevated PowerShell window, press Win + X keys to open PowerShell.
2. Execute following commands one at time.
3. Restart your computer.Code:Get-Process searchui | Stop-Process –Force Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
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