Windows 7: Windows Search draws complete blank

Hello All,
I've had a good hour or so on Google and cannot find a solution to this issue so here goes:

All of a sudden, Windows Search will not return any results. I normally only use this to get to a program in the Start Menu quickly so if I need to access the services.msc I just type it into the Start Menu search.

Now all I get is:



Documents
Files
Pictures
Control Panel

listed with blank, white file icons next to them. Hitting enter after typing 'services.msc' does nothing.

The blank files listed are just that - blank 0kb files. If I click on them all I get is a security message saying I cannot open them.

I have removed and reinstalled Windows Search, also tried flushing the Index cache all to no avail.

Any ideas?

Dan

Hello dpswatson,

Welcome to Seven Forums.

If this is a fairly recent problem you could try doing a system restore to a point before the problem. Info here if needed: System Restore

Hope this helps.

Gary

I had thought of System Restore, but was trying to avoid having to do it - just finished installing Adobe CS4 suite and it took hours.

But if worst comes to the worst, I'll just have to do it - or reformat and start again.

Thanks for the reply though.

All,

I also have this issue and a system restore doesn't correct it. In my case I can type anything in the search box and receive nothing in the text box above it. If I click on "See More Results" then I receivce an error indicating that Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file.

Any ideas?

Dan

Welcome to Seven Forums epqe17 and dpswatson.
Download Malwarebytes and Super Antispyware, they are free versions, update them, do complete scans, power off completly and restart. Post back with results.

Also make sure Indexing is enabled. Check and review what has been recently installed. Dan, does Photoshop have some options which may be causing the problem?

I ran the malware and their were no issues:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 6577
Windows 6.1.7600
Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385
5/14/2011 1:15:38 PM
mbam-log-2011-05-14 (13-15-38).txt
Scan type: Full scan (C:\|)
Objects scanned: 420456
Time elapsed: 48 minute(s), 37 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Dan

You are most likely clean Dan. Make sure you have indexing enabled. In Task Manager/Processes it is called "SearchIndexer.exe".

could be an issue with file permisions. mabe, windows is not allowed to access your files.

This appears to be a permissions issue as when I click on "See More Results" I receive the following error: Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

The question is how do I obtain the proper permissions?

Dan

I haven't received any replies to my querry. Suggestions?