Search from SearchBox or Icon Fails, Bails, Every time

Hi guys my version is 21H1 Build 19043.1237 running on my 'lab mule' hp desktop.
This is a pretty lean build that I only use for solving problems, recovering data, etc

Awhile back the Search 'window', on taskbar, started failing and I thought it was just transient. But it isn't transient - its been that way for a month or so, through a couple of updates. Usually, and IIRC in this case, I elect to turn Cortana off, and even if I didn't that is now separated out, and not on this system. I don't use a lot of icons & stuff laying on my desktop so accustomed to using that Search Window to pull up apps, image editor, notepad, etc.

When I say it doesn't work, the behavior is:
- place cursor in the box
- start typing, but there is no feedback at all - no text appears, and/or
- frequently the box will bail out - close abruptly, then reappear

Checking Taskmgr, on an ordinary bootup, no SearchApp or SearchIndex is running. I can manually invoke SearchIndexer.exe and it will run. If I manually invoke SearchApp.exe it will NOT run. I get a flash on display, and nothing. No appearance in Task Manager.

Should I just copy the SearchApp.exe from archive or clean build and replace that which is in the troubled machine?
Advice?

Edit/Add: aha - I do see SearchApp.exe./####.dmp files being created each time I tried to invoke it.

remains a thorny problem, but:
- I did setup a separate user account and the search works consistently/normally on that account
- SearchApp.exe crashes/dmp's 5 times when I try to use the search on the original User Account. is it worth reading the debris in the dmp files? [image attached]
- cftmon does not appear in services at all. But Touch Keyboard etc does, and it is consistently on/running..

just for the learning I will try restoring Services defaults
and to get on with life and leave the mystery for now I'll probably just migrate all my profile stuff to the new User I just setup

dalchina said:

I found this: as your problem is account specific, something like this might help:
Fixed: Windows 10 Search Crashing

thx! will give it a shot shortly

So, never solved the problem. Accordingly, I created a new User account and moved nearly all the files etc from old to new. Could not figure out how to move settings/history etc of various individual apps in a timely manner, as the rules [if any] for doing that for each are diff. bit of a pain.

The weirdness though has morph'd. So in the new profile, the Search from Taskbar [icon or search field] works as it should, however both the Taskbar and the Start button are "numb" or immune to Right-Click. Searching online, this also appears to be a common malady that I had not previously run into despite doing a LOT with every Windows version ever. I don't see any good fix but lots of 'try this'. Tried different kbd's/pads though I was pretty certain it would make no diff and was right.

so I am stuck having to invoke the windows key and type command lines and special buttons for common tasks like opening an elevated command prompt....

dalchina thank you. I'm giving it a shot as much out of curiosity as a 'fix'. I had often thought that such a utility SHOULD exist but did not find anything that had solid recommendation