Windows Search Multi-User – Outlook Search Issues

Solution 1: Restart the Windows Font Cache Service

In some cases, Windows Search issues can be resolved by restarting the Windows Font Cache Service. To do so, follow these steps:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type services.msc to open the Services console.

2. In the right pane, right-click Windows Font Cache Service and select Stop.

3. Try performing the search again.

4. In the Services console, right-click Windows Font Cache Service and select Start.

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Solution 2: Check for Updates

When using Windows 11 or Windows 10, you can choose when and how to receive the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely.

To manage update options and view available updates:

• Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Install any available updates and restart the computer if required.

For more information, see Update Windows.

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Solution 3: Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Windows automatically indexes content to provide faster search results. If you are using Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Update) or later, and Windows detects a problem, it automatically runs the search troubleshooter, which resets Windows Search to its default settings.

To view the troubleshooter history:

• Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > View troubleshooting history.

To manually run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter:

1. Open a Command Prompt window and run the following command:

2. Run the troubleshooter and select any applicable issues.
   Windows will attempt to detect and fix them.

For more information on search and indexing, see:

• Performance issues affecting Windows Search

• Windows 10 Search Indexing: Frequently Asked Questions

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Solution 4: Restart Windows Search

Follow these steps to end the SearchUI.exe (Windows 10) or SearchHost.exe (Windows 11) process. Stopping this process stops Windows Search. The next time you perform a search, Windows Search will restart automatically.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Task Manager.

2. In Task Manager, select Details.

3. In the Name column, right-click SearchUI.exe or SearchHost.exe, then select End task.

4. When prompted, select End process.

If this does not resolve the issue, try restarting the device. Restarting also installs any pending updates.

Note:
Before restarting, consider bookmarking the relevant support page.

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Solution 5: Reset Windows Search

Try resetting Windows Search using the procedure appropriate for your Windows version.

To determine the Windows version:

• Select Start > Settings > System > About.

Note:
Resetting Windows Search does not affect your files, but it may temporarily affect the relevance of search results.

Reset Windows Search on Windows 10 version 1809 or earlier

If the computer is running Windows 10 October 2018 Update or earlier:

1. Select Start, right-click Cortana, then select More > App settings.

2. In Cortana settings, select Reset.

Reset Windows Search on Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 1903 or later

If the computer is running Windows 11, Windows 10 May 2019 Update, or later, you can use a Windows PowerShell script.

Important:
Administrator privileges are required to run this script.
If script execution is disabled by organizational policy, contact your administrator.

Steps:

1. Check the PowerShell execution policy by opening an elevated PowerShell window and running:

2. If the policy is Unrestricted, proceed to the next step.
   Otherwise, note the current value and run:

Confirm the warning by selecting Y and pressing Enter.

3. Close the PowerShell window.

4. Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from the Reset Windows Search PowerShell script page and save it locally.

5. Right-click the file and select Run with PowerShell.

6. When prompted, select Yes to allow the app to make changes.

The script resets Windows Search.

When the word Done appears:

• If no execution policy changes were made, close PowerShell.

• If changes were made, restore the previous execution policy:

Replace <PreviousValue> with the original value returned by Get-ExecutionPolicy.

Close PowerShell.

Note:
If the execution policy is incorrect, an error such as “Cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system” may appear. Repeat the steps above and rerun the script.

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Solution 6: Rebuild the Microsoft.Windows.Search AppData Folder

Note:
Use the Windows Recovery Environment or sign out and log in with another user account.

Important:
This procedure involves modifying the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes can cause serious issues. Back up the registry before proceeding.

Steps:

1. Verify that Windows Search works for a newly created Windows account.

2. Delete the following folder:

   • Windows 10:
     %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy

   • Windows 11:
     %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy

   (In older versions, the folder may be named Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy.)

3. Log in with the affected account and open Registry Editor.

4. Navigate to:

5. Delete the Search registry key.

6. Open an elevated PowerShell window and run:

Windows 10:

Windows 11:

7. Restart the computer.

This restarts search indexing and regenerates both the registry key and the AppData folder.