Windows Search Service can't start, Error 1613

[jmarevalo]

Hello all,

Recently my search using the top right bar in Windows Explorer is not working.
It was working ok yesterday.

Upon looking on Services, Windows Search status is Stopped.
When I try to start Windows Search Service I get the following error.
"Windows could not start the Windows Search service on Local Computer.
Error 1613: The installation package cannot be installed by the Windows Installer service. You must install a Windows service pack that contains a newer version of the Windows Installer service."

I also checked Event Viewer and found this under Administrative Events:
"The Windows Search service terminated unexpectedly. It has done this 36 time(s)."

Your help is much appreciated.

 

[britny]

Jmarevalo


-First you should delete all files with .BLF and .REGTRANS-MS extension by following directory:

C:\windows\system32\config\TxR

-May be these files in the folder location above are hidden and to view these Files you should set the system under Tools - Folder Options.

-After deleting these files , reboot your system. Once rebooted, hopefully the Windows Search service will start

 

[jmarevalo]

britny

Followed your suggestions and managed to locate the .BLF and .REGTRANS-MS files in the TxR folder.

5x REGTRANS-MS files
2x BLF files

Problem I encountered is it won't let me delete those files.
File in Use warning appears and says the files are open in System.
I tried using 3rd party software like Unlocker to identify process/handle using those files but the software says no locking handles are found.

 

[gregrocker]

Type services in Start Search box, in Services.msc start Windows Search service and set to Auto.

Rebuild your Index: Index - Rebuild - Windows 7 Forums.

Run SFC /SCANNOW Command, report back results.

 

[jmarevalo]

gregrocker

Windows Search Service is now set to Automatic.

I can not seem to rebuild the index.
In attached screenshot, Indexing is not running and certain options in Advanced options are greyed out.
Nothing also seems to be happening when I press Ok after Rebuild.

SFC /SCANNOW results are Verification 100% complete.
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

 

[gregrocker]

Click the link and follow the steps to Troubleshoot Search and Indexing.

 

[Layback Bear]

Do you have SP-1 installed?

 

[jmarevalo]

gregrocker

Doing the Search and Indexing troubleshooting as adminstrator here is the problem found.

"Windows Search service not running - Not Fixed - (X)"

 

[jmarevalo]

layback bear

Yes, the Windows 7 Home Premium OS came with SP-1 installed.

 

[gregrocker]

Type Services.msc in Start Search box, click result at top.

Start WIndows Search Service, set to Automatic (delayed).

If this fails, run a full Malwarebytes scan,

Uninstall any bloatware AV and install Microsoft Security Essentials run a full scan.

 

[jmarevalo]

Windows Search Service is now set to Auto (delayed)

Ran a full Malwarebytes scan, no malicious items detected.

Ran a full MSE scan, no threats detected.

Did a reboot and tried to do a search on my work folder but still no results showing.

Went to services.msc and tried to start the Windows Search Service, I still get Error 1613.

Indexing options show Indexing is not running, and certain options are greyed out like before.

 

[Ztruker]

Try the Microsoft Fixit for Search: [Fix] Windows Search Crashes, Fails to Start or Doesn’t Show Search Results - Tweaking with Vishal

 

[jmarevalo]

Ran the Microsoft Fixit and it reset the Windows Search.

But as seen in attached file, 3 issues found are "Not fixed"

- Windows Search is crashing or failing

- Windows Search does not start and gives an error message

- Windows Search does not show any results

An update on my recent testing, the search top right bar is working when doing search on a folder in C: drive, (such as C: > Games). The results come up as expected when I type a word.

But when doing search on the Libraries such as in my work folder (ie. Libraries > Documents > Work Folder), that's where the search top right bar doesn't do anything, even if I type a correct filename.

 

[gregrocker]

In Control panel>Programs under Features turn off the Search service. Reboot to turn it back on.

Type Index in Start search box, choose Indexing Options to specify the drives you want searched including any external drives when plugged in. It is sometimes necessary to Rebuild Index if it falters.

Is this the original factory preinstalled Win7, as that is a corrupt install to begin with larded with bloatware and duplicate utilities that have better versions built into Win7. You'll get much better performance and no problems like this with a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware to relieve problems and improve performance.

You can also go over your install with Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[PaulS46]

This works: Error 1613

Since this thread still shows up in Google searches, I decided to post a solution that actually works!

Remove the Windows Search feature using "Turn Windows Features On or Off" (Programs and Features panel).
Reboot the computer.

Re-install the Windows Search feature again using "Turn Windows Features on or off".
Reboot the computer.
Let the Search Index rebuild.
Try the search now.