Windows 8 Search Crash Fix

Microsoft is not very well known for their performance out of the gate with new software. Vista was a huge blunder with all the bugs and crashes, and Windows 8 may be headed in the same direction. I was among many eager technology geeks awaiting Windows 8 in hopes that Microsoft had finally caught up to the competition, and at first I was impressed. The problems didn't really start until the first update came and went- after which I was unable to use the search function. Some internet searches turned up an automated tool made by Microsoft for just this problem. Trouble was, it was no help. After a lot of digging I was able to fix my problem and my solution is outlined below.

For those of you with better luck than I have here is the link to the automated solution.

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_search/en-us

1. Navigate to Control Panel.

2. Click "Programs" then "Programs and Features".

3. Click "Turn Windows features on or off" on the left side of the list.

4. Uncheck "Windows Search" and hit "OK". You will be prompted to restart.

5. After restart, repeat these steps and check the box.

If the above did not work continue here:

6. Go to Control Panel.

7. In the top right, search for "reindex". There should be three options that come up. Choose the middle option of "Change how windows searches".

8. Click "Advanced" to get a new options menu.

9. Click the button titled "Rebuild" in the middle of the new box.

10. Wait for it to finish. This process may take up to an hour depending on how many files you have.

This is a little involved for someone who is not comfortable with administrative tools on a computer but it is very easy if you follow these instructions.

1. Press Windows Key + R to get the run dialogue box.

2. Type "regedit.exe" in the box and hit enter.

3. Using the box on the left, navigate to the following directory: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\

Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

Explorer\Advanced

4. We need to change a registry called "Start_SearchFiles" to a value of 2. If you are like me, yours is already 2. We need to reset this so what we are going to do it change it to 0, then back to 2.

5. Double-click Start_SearchFiles or right-click and select "Modify" to get the edit box. Change the number under "Value data" to 0 then click "Ok".

6. Repeat step 5, changing the value back to 2.

7. Restart your computer.

Using the above information navigate to the following directory:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\

And delete the following folder: {ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}. After deleting the folder restart your computer