Problem with Windows search functionality.
Problem with Windows search functionality.
I've experienced some problems with my work computer this week. It's a Dell XPS 13 9360 using Windows 10 Pro on a 256GB SSD. When I try to search within Windows, the results appear delayed and freeze, causing the window to close. This issue occurs whether I use the start menu or open the settings window, after which it freezes and then closes. I'm not sure what's behind this, as I only use legitimate sites and don't run any unusual programs—just Chrome, Niagara, and EasyIO's CPT tool. It started about a week ago, possibly after the latest creator update. Any advice would be appreciated.
Have you considered restarting your system before attempting a reinstall? It’s often helpful to power down and turn it back on first.
It would be challenging given our setup since we lack a dedicated IT team. Niagara’s licensing system assigns a host ID tied to your installation; reinstalling Windows would alter the ID and invalidate the license. I find it hard to believe this is practical. Personally, I’ve run Windows 10 on multiple systems with 4GB RAM and never faced such problems. My work machine has 8GB RAM and an SSD that’s only three months old—no signs of wear. I didn’t expect this, so I’ll give it a shot.
The issue has been resolved. I attempted several fixes including restarting the search service and adjusting its activation time, but none worked consistently. After reading a Microsoft guide recommending DISM.exe commands, it appeared to detect and attempt a repair. Upon restarting, no improvement was noticed, though I experienced a delayed login—password window taking over 5 minutes to appear. It seems installing the latest Windows update last night and turning on the machine this morning fixed the problem. Now I can launch programs normally without manually searching through the start menu. Thanks for your advice!