5. Delete Junk Files or Cache
The fifth way you can try is to delete junk files or cache that accumulate on your computer or laptop. A junk or cache file is a temporary file created by a system or application to store data or information. However, if these files are not cleaned periodically, they can reduce storage space and slow down Windows performance. This may affect the search process and indexation of Windows Search. To delete junk or cache files, you can use the Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense features provided by Windows. Here are the steps:
Using Disk Cleanup
- Open File Explorer and right-click on your C: drive or system drive.
- Select Properties.
- On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup.
- Select the files you want to delete, such as Temporary files, Recycle Bin, Thumbnails, and more.
- Click OK to delete the files.
- If you want to delete larger or older files, click Clean up system files and repeat the previous step.
- Wait for the file deletion process to complete.
- Try using Windows Search again.
Using Storage Sense
- Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- Select System.
- On the left menu, select Storage.
- On the right menu, turn on the Storage Sense option.
- Click Configure Storage Sense or run it now to set up how Storage Sense works.
- You can specify when Storage Sense will run automatically, how long unused files will be deleted, and what will be deleted by Storage Sense.
- If you want to run Storage Sense now, click Clean now.
- Wait for the file deletion process to complete.
- Try using Windows Search again.
6. Check Hardware and Drivers
The sixth way you can try is to check the hardware and drivers connected to your computer or laptop. Corrupted or incompatible hardware and drivers can cause problems with Windows systems, including Windows Search. You can check your hardware and drivers by using the Device Manager feature provided by Windows. Here are the steps:
- Press the Windows + X button and select Device Manager.
- Check if there is a yellow exclamation mark or a red cross on the device connected to your computer or laptop. If there is, it means that there is a problem with the device.
- Right-click on the problematic device and select Update driver to search for and install the latest driver for that device.
- If no updated drivers are available, or if the problem persists, right-click on the problematic device and select Uninstall device to remove that device from the Windows system.
- Restart your computer or laptop and let Windows detect and reinstall the device automatically.
- Try using Windows Search again.
7. Perform a System Restore
The seventh way you can try is to do a system restore. System restore is a feature that can restore the state of the Windows system to a certain point in the past, when the system was still functioning properly. This can help resolve Windows Search issues caused by changes or damage to your Windows system. However, you must have restore points available before you can perform a system restore. Here are the steps:
- Press the Windows + R key to open a Run window.
- Type rstrui.exe and press the Enter key or click OK.
- In the System Restore window, click Next.
- Select the restore point you want to use, and click Next. You can select a restore point based on the date and time, or based on the description provided by Windows.
- Click Finish to confirm that you want to perform a system restore.
- Wait for the system restore process to complete. This process can take quite a long time, and your computer or laptop will restart automatically.
- Try using Windows Search again.