Windows Search and Indexing Broken

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  1. Posts : 28
    WIndows 10
       #1

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken


    After upgrading to TH2 I had an issue with windows search. The service wouldn't start at all.

    I managed to run the Windows Search service.
    I had to delete the Key RebuildIndex and change value of key SetupCompletedSuccessfully to 1.

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-registry.png

    Now that the search service works I have another problem. The indexing is not working:

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-indexing.png

    In Advanced options the Index Location is blank and the button Select New is grayed out.

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-location.png

    When I run the troubleshooter I get : Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories -- Not fixed

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-troubleshooter.png

    The owner of folders C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Search and C:\Program Data\Microsoft\Search\Data is SYSTEM. Administrator and my user name are added with Full Control.
    What could be the problem?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, part of your problem may be addressed towards the end of this thread:

    Solved File Explorer Search Not Working - Windows 10 Forums

    Modify button: I had to do this once having even lost Indexing Options in Control Panel- I first fixed that, then to solve the modify button being greyed out:
    Disable and re-enable the feature through dism.
    dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"SearchEngine-Client-Package"
    dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:"SearchEngine-Client-Package"
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 28
    WIndows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks but it's not working.

    I have a PC with Win10 where I search and indexing are working fine. I reproduced the permissions for Search, Data, Application and Temp folders 1:1 on my laptop where is the problematic Win10. System is owner everywhere.
    Tried your method with disabling SearchEngine-Client-Package - result was the same.
    Not working at all. I think the problem lies somewhere in the registry but I don't know exactly where.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Hi, is 'Indexing Options' present in the (old) control panel? (I presume you must have given your screen-shot)
    Do you have srchadmin.dll and srchadmin.dll.mui in system32 and syswow64 folders as appropriate?
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 28
    WIndows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    What do you you mean by old control panel?
    The two files srchadmin.dll are present in both directories.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    E.g. Windows key + X, Control Panel

    If the dlls and dll.mui files are present, and you have run the powershell commands from an elevated powershell window, and Modify is still greyed out, it's looking more like you'll need to try an in-place upgrade repair install.

    However, it may be worth trying the DISM commands.
    Try running these in sequence from a elevated (admin) Command Prompt:

    To open an admin Command Prompt window
    Press Win key + X, then click ‘Command Prompt (admin).
    Then copy/paste each in turn at the prompt, press <Return> and wait for the command to complete.

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 28
    WIndows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks. I tried all that but it didn't work.

    Actually I fixed the problem myself.
    As it said there were incorrect permissions, I decided to change the indexing location. I chose a different path (in my case C:\Users\-Username here -\AppData\Local\Microsoft). I created two folders: Search and Data (inside Search).
    Then in registry I just changed the values of DataDirectory and DefaultDataDirectory. Reabooted.
    After reboot I just had to stop and start the WSearch service and indexing started working.
    Of course I deleted the old Search folder with incorrect permissions and created a new one. After doing the above I manged to get indexing to work with %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Search. But yet again when I ran the troubleshooter I got Incorrect permissions error.
    So I decided to stick to the new location.

    But this time the problem is different. Under "Index These Locations" there was nothing. When click on Modify, under "Change Selected Locations" there are only two of my volumes (drive D: and drive M: and drive C: is missing. So I had no way to add the default folders (Start Menu and Users).
    Then I found out the by editing the search policies in gpedit.msc I can add Default Index Paths and Default excluded paths. I added Users and Start Menu folders by they are not indexed.

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-1.png

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-2.png

    How can I add my drive C: and how to get these locations indexed?
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    Hi, ok, you're right.. should have looked more carefully at the permisssions issue.

    Good you've made some progress. Note that Users needs to be indexed, else searching Settings is s-l-o-w... (Or at least the relevant part of Users, whatever that might be).

    Just wondering about your permissions on C: given you've had to deal with one permissions problem.

    Mine on C: is this:
    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.06.27.jpgWindows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.06.44.jpgWindows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.07.06.jpgWindows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.07.15.jpg
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #9

    These registry keys appear to hold the search index locations:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\CrawlScopeManager\Windows\SystemIndex\WorkingSetRules\
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\Gather\Windows\SystemIndex\Sites\LocalHost\Paths\
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\Gather\Windows\SystemIndex\StartPages\

    (I added a distinctive location and searched the registry)

    The default index location is here:
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft
    Search folder, I assume

    Permissions for the Search folder (after I'd hit Continue to get access to it):
    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.30.51.jpgWindows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.30.42.jpgWindows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.30.26.jpgWindows Search and Indexing Broken-snap-2016-01-07-10.30.16.jpg
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 28
    WIndows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    These are my permissions on C:

    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-creator.pngWindows Search and Indexing Broken-system.png
    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-un1.pngWindows Search and Indexing Broken-un2.png
    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-un3.pngWindows Search and Indexing Broken-un4.pngWindows Search and Indexing Broken-users.png

    I have some strange Unknown users. I think they may be from the time I install MSSql Server. I'm not sure.
    And I don't have Administrator added. When I try to add I get this:
    Windows Search and Indexing Broken-administrator.png
    Red icon with cross.

    And the Owner was Unknown something, so I changed it to my Account.
      My Computers


 

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