Windows 7 Start Menu can't find Applications....?


  1. smarr
    Posts : 9
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Windows 7 Start Menu can't find Applications....?


    Windows 7 Pro system, Start Menu's Search Bar has always been able to find my executables as you type them. For example, type "pho" and as you're typing it, "Photoshop" would appear for you to click. Type "fi" and "Firefox" would appear ready to click and run.

    Sometime recently, partial names for Thunderbird and Firefox (and some others) stopped working. The apps only appear when you completely type the entire name of the executable: "Thunderbir" shows nothing, but "Thunderbird" show the app.

    This is not a case of having the FolderOptions/Search/Find Partial Matches option Disabled. It is *definitely* enabled, and it works for some application's names.

    Any suggestions as to what might be causing this?
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  3. HammerHead
    Posts : 1,965
    win 7 X64 Ultimate SP1
       New #2

    Good Way to Check Setup


    Here is a good way to check the setup. Also some good suggestion on searching apps, if preferred. Also mentions cleanup.

    Make Windows 7 Start Menu Search Find Your Applications Faster
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  4. Slartybart
    Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       New #3

    You could try: Index - Rebuild
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  6. smarr
    Posts : 9
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Hammerhead--I've read those through already and tried all of them. No change, even after restarting.

    SlartyBart--I've done the index rebuild (several times) and it has made no change.

    I'm mystified. I've never seen this before and have hundreds of machines set up similarly.
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  7. Slartybart
    Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       New #5

    Thanks for the update.

    When I use the start menu search box for regedit, msinfo32, or msconfig
    ... I have to type the entire word before it's found.
    If I enter Syst .. I get System Information and System Configuration in the results
    If I enter Registry (or Registry Editor) I get no results.

    This has always been the case on my machine, though. You say that the start menu search results used to give you the desired results with partial matches. So this is a recent change in behavior.

    I'm mystified too. What results do you get in the Explorer search box using the search words firef & Thunderb
    That will tell you if it's a start menu search issue only.
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  8. Layback Bear
    Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       New #6

    I must agree very strange.
    You could do this. It may or may not help but can't hurt.
    Please follow the instructions..

    By Brink:
    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

    Are you using the same user account when these strange things happen?

    Could you do this also? It will help us help you.

    By Brink:
    System Info - See Your System Specs
    -----------
    Also include your security programs installed.

    Let us know the results.
    Last edited by Layback Bear; 18 Feb 2014 at 02:05. Reason: Add another request
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