Search function from Windows 7 Start button not working


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #1

    Search function from Windows 7 Start button not working


    When I try to run a file search from the Start button, firstly the pop-up box clears when I type in the first letter of the search and I am unable to run a search. If I click "see more results" I get the message "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." I have not added any new programs, only Windows updates and use Avast Free as my anti-virus defence, which updates itself several times a day.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #2

    Ken can you post a screen shot please.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Screenshots as requested


    Search function from Windows 7 Start button not working-blank-box-typing-first-letter.png

    Search function from Windows 7 Start button not working-click-see-more-results.png
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #4

    Ok Ken first up mate some more system specs as I can see what you have got but not what you have got if that makes sense ie RAM hard drive etc etc System Info - See Your System Specs
    Then run these if you haven't already in this order and delete any of the rubbish that malware scans find


    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html<= DO NOT run on a SSD

    http://www.superantispyware.com/

    http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

    (ADW download from bleepingcomputer)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #5

    Welcome to Seven Forums kenmackay. If the suggestions ICit2lol made do not help, specifically the SFC, see if the issue occurs on another user. If you don't have a 2nd user, you can create one to test.

    User Account - Create

    Do you know when this occured, and do you have a System Restore point from just before it began? That may be an easy fix.

    System Restore

    It sounds like you may have a corrupted user profile, have you experienced any other issues? If the new user works ok, you can transfer to the new user.

    Fix a corrupted user profile

    A Guy
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Problem solved


    Thanks to ICit2lol and A Guy for looking at this problem for me. I have actually found the solution on another thread, which solved the problem really simply.

    Search function from Windows 7 Start button not working-search-query-solution.png
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #7

    Well, there is that :) Glad you got it sorted, thanks for sharing the fix. A Guy
      My Computer


 

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