AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery
[Full Guide] How to Run Windows 11 Search Files on Full Computer
This passage introduces how to run Windows 11 search files on full computer. If the Windows 11 search not working, this guide provides targeted solutions as well.
By Irene / Updated on March 20, 2025
How to run Windows 11 Search files on Full computer?
There are two main ways to perform Windows 11 Search files on full computer: Start Search and File Explorer Search. Start Search lets you quickly find apps, documents, and settings by typing in the search bar on the taskbar. This helps you find files, apps, settings, and even web results quickly. It is also connected to Microsoft services like OneDrive, Outlook, and SharePoint, making it easier to access cloud-stored content. To run Start Search, you can find the icon shows in the picture next to the Win button on your main screen.
And the File Explorer Search, on the other hand, helps you locate files stored on your computer by searching within specific folders or across the entire system. For example, if you want to search for large files, you can type the exact number in the Search bar and press the Enter key.
While Windows 11 has improved Search, it works best when properly set up and used effectively, or you may encounter Windows Search not finding file contents issues. Besides, if you find Windows 11 Search not working, here are some practical solutions can help you.
Why does Windows 11 Search not working?
Generally, it is easy to Search files on Windows 11 full computer. However, some users may can't successfully run Windows 11 Serach on both Start or File Explorer. Why does the issue occur? Here’s a table listing common reasons along with targeted solutions. These solutions should help users troubleshoot and fix search-related problems on Windows 11.
| Issues | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Files not appearing in search | Indexing is incomplete or paused | Rebuild the search index: Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Advanced indexing options, then rebuild the index. |
| File Explorer search not working | Corrupted search index | Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter in Settings > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. |
| Start Menu search not finding files | Search service is disabled | Restart Windows Search service: Open Services (Win + R, type services.msc), find Windows Search, and restart it. |
| Files stored in non-indexed locations | Windows Search only indexes certain folders | Add folders to indexing: Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows > Modify Indexed Locations. |
| External or network drives not included in search | Windows Search doesn’t automatically index external/network drives | Manually add external/network locations to indexing in Advanced indexing options. |
| Corrupted system files affecting search | System file corruption | Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (Admin) to repair system files. (If you encounter SFC Scannow stuck, here are some solutions.) |
| Search bar unresponsive or missing | Windows Search app issue | Restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager or reset Windows Search via PowerShell (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Search) |
| Data loss (files missing from search and computer) | Targeted files suffered accidental deletion, disk failure, or malware attack | Restore files from Recycle Bin or use a recovery tool like Windows File Recovery or third-party recovery software. |
How to recover lost files on Windows 11?
If the Windows Search bar is not working on Windows 11 and you are sure the utility itself is functioning properly, the most likely reason is that the files you are trying to search for are lost or deleted. This can happen for many reasons. In such cases, a reliable recovery tool can help restore your files.
AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery is an easy-to-use tool for recovering lost files from all scenarios like accidental deletion, disk formatting, system crashes, virus attacks, or storage damage. It supports the recovery of over 1,000 file types, including documents, photos, videos, music, emails, and compressed files. The simple design of this reliable software makes it accessible to everyone, and it offers 24/7 support if assistance is needed. It works with various storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and SD cards.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.
Step 2. Then, the recovery tool starts to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.
Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.
Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovery to end.
Summary
Do you know how to run Windows 11 Search files on full computer? From this passage, you can know Windows 11 offers two main ways to search for files across your computer: Start Search and File Explorer Search. While these tools are powerful, issues like indexing problems, disabled search services, or system corruption can sometimes prevent them from working properly. If you experience search-related problems, troubleshooting steps such as rebuilding the search index or restarting Windows Search can help resolve them.
If your files are missing due to accidental deletion, disk failure, or other data loss issues, a reliable recovery tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery can help restore them. By following simple steps, you can scan, locate, and recover lost files from various storage devices. With the right setup and tools, you can ensure a smooth and efficient search experience on Windows 11.
