Solved Search box only looking within files and nowhere else like settings, apps...

Hello I'm on Windows Pro 11, version 23H2 (OS build 22631.3235)

For some reason the Windows search bar is only returning results within files, but not within apps or settings.
I think this is because I did something to disable Bing and/or websearches from the search bar, but I obviously disabled too much.
Can anyone help? Thanks.
Here's what happens when I search (as an example) for "network":

Hi Coresus, welcome to 11F.

See if this helps to relax the parameters for Bing search:

This is the basic search tut for File Explorer in tutorials:

It helps to have indexing on and running when searching thru File Explorer:

Check near the bottoms of the tutorials under Related Tutorials, there may be ones there that will help but IDK about.

The main index:

Coresus said:

Hello I'm on Windows Pro 11, version 23H2 (OS build 22631.3235)

For some reason the Windows search bar is only returning results within files, but not within apps or settings.
I think this is because I did something to disable Bing and/or websearches from the search bar, but I obviously disabled too much.
Can anyone help? Thanks.
Here's what happens when I search (as an example) for "network":

Click to expand...

Coresus said:

Hello I'm on Windows Pro 11, version 23H2 (OS build 22631.3235)

For some reason the Windows search bar is only returning results within files, but not within apps or settings.
I think this is because I did something to disable Bing and/or websearches from the search bar, but I obviously disabled too much.
Can anyone help? Thanks.
Here's what happens when I search (as an example) for "network":

View attachment 89497

Click to expand...

As a starting point, have you tried SFC & DISM. If not, visit the link below.

Thank you both, and in particular Sir_George.
The one that worked from me was one of the options in this Tutorial from the Tutorial index:.
Specifically, I added (back?) Copilot and Web Icons in Windows Search with "DisableSearchBoxSuggestions".
This got me back to searching within settings and apps (rather than solely within files) in the Windows search bar.
It also put back Bing and other web stuff into the Search (and these were the things I was looking to get rid of in the first place), but I was then able to remove them though Settings>Privacy and Security>Search permissions>Web search.
Thanks again.
Coresus

You're welcome.

Sorry, it looks like I spoke too soon. The search history made it look like things were back to normal, but in fact they aren't.
I am still not able to search for any settings in Windows search.
In fact, even the search box in the settings window returns nothing (I guess it's just the same search engine).
See examples below, one where I start typing "bluetooth" (and nothing comes up), and the other where I actually search for "accounts" and it says "no results". Surely this can't be right?

Coresus said:

Sorry, it looks like I spoke too soon. The search history made it look like things were back to normal, but in fact they aren't.
I am still not able to search for any settings in Windows search.
In fact, even the search box in the settings window returns nothing (I guess it's just the same search engine).
See examples below, one where I start typing "bluetooth" (and nothing comes up), and the other where I actually search for "accounts" and it says "no results". Surely this can't be right?

View attachment 89513


View attachment 89514

Click to expand...

Just a shot in the dark; did you install a Windows Update recently? If so, try uninstalling and see if that works.

Thanks for getting back.
As a matter of fact, yes I did, as part of my initial troubleshooting process, but this was AFTER the problem had appeared.
However just to be sure, I uninstalled the update. The problem is still there.

Do you have search indexing enabled?

As always check the related tutorials in the box near the bottom of tut, you may have to use this to get search to run again.

Perform a quick clean boot to eliminate software conflict causing the issue. If it doesn't happen in a clean boot, you have some software conflicting with Windows. Brink's procedure will help you weed out which one. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial

If it still happens in clean boot, From what you stated it appears this probably stemmed from one of the changes you made. If you do not know which one and have no backup to to restore from, do a Repair Install Windows 11 Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

Edit: if you have no backup and know when this issue started, attempt a system restore.

Thank you Glasskuter, using the clean boot method, I got things back to how there were, and from there, back to how I want them.

Coresus said:

using the clean boot method, I got things back to how there were, and from there, back to how I want them.

Click to expand...

Good to know. Just to clarify, you found what app was causing the problem and then returned your system to normal boot. Correct?

To tell the truth, I did it in various stages whilst doing other stuff , and I wasn't as methodical as I would have liked, so unfortunately I'm not really sure (which is kinda dum, I know).
Thank you very much anyway. You helped me sort it out.