Search field in Windows 11 File Explorer has started using an extremely tiny font

Hi--

I've tried searching on Google and can't find anyone with a solution. I have a laptop that is running Windows 11. I haven't installed anything that would affect File Explorer or any other aspect of how Windows 11 works. A few days ago I discovered that the search field (or search box, if you prefer. I don't know what it's called) is suddenly using an extremely tiny font. I don't know how it happened. I tried adjusting the font size using Accessibility and that increased the font size for everything. I don't really want that and if it affected the search field font at all, it wasn't enough to make it usable. So I reset that back to 100% which is the default. A friend suggested that perhaps it happened using the zoom function that is controlled with Ctrl+Mouse Wheel. I don't have an external mouse. I only have the track pad. In any case, I tried zooming with the track pad and I couldn't get it to affect File Explorer. I'm at a lost. I thought there would be an obvious setting somewhere for the font specifically for the search field. I cannot find such a setting. I've attached a screen shot so you can see what I mean.

Mine seems to be OK -

Haha. Thanks. Now if only you knew how to fix mine.

Have you seen this earlier post -

Windows File Explorer: Search Box Font Size changed

Specifically this post:


Stardock's Start11 software was the culprit in this case.

I'm curious. What version of 11 are you running, release or insider?

johnlgalt said:

Specifically this post:

Windows File Explorer: Search Box Font Size changed

Above is a screenshot of the upper right corner of the Windows File Explorer. The font (the default Segoe UI) size is normal in all the other parts of the program, except for the typed in Search text box. I have checked that the components of Windows are correct with "dism /online /cleanup-image...

www.elevenforum.com

Stardock's Start11 software was the culprit in this case.

Click to expand...

Yes, I read that thoroughly to find an actual answer that shows me a setting or Regedit fix for that font. I'm not using anything remotely similar to Stardock's Start11.

Note that this issue is on a friend's computer. I set it up for her. She has been instructed to not install anything else without telling me as I end up fixing problems created. I've checked through the add/remove programs list to make sure nothing else has been installed. Here's the list of additional software added beyond the default:
- Libre Office
- Foxit PDF Reader
- Malwarebytes
- printer drivers

I doubt any of those programs would cause this issue.

glasskuter said:

I'm curious. What version of 11 are you running, release or insider?

Click to expand...

My friend is using the release version.

jayceorphan said:

She has been instructed to not install anything else without telling me as I end up fixing problems created.

Click to expand...

If she is anything like my mother, then those instructions went in one ear and out the other....



Seriously, though, what's the most recent update in WU History? Might try uninstalling that and then letting it install again to see if it makes a difference.

Also, wrt printer drivers - did those include postscript drivers, or just regular PCL drivers?

Things to try:

Reset the theme (e.g. change to Dark and then back to Light).

Install KB5023778 if not already installed or superceded by a newer update.