Solved Search for *.docx returns nothing

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

Attempting a search in the Documents folder for Word documents with search term "*.docx" returns nothing. Even when searching a single folder with 8 .docx files none are returned. Signed in as administrator still does not find any Word document. How do I get a meaningful search back? Secondarily, how did searching stop to function? Thanks.

glasskuter · Nov 17, 2025

Repair Windows Search and Index in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to repair the Search Engine feature for Windows Search and search indexing in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use Windows Search to find your apps, files, settings, help, and more on Windows—plus unlock the power of the web with quick access to online...

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Reset and Rebuild Search Index in Windows 11

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Kees · Nov 17, 2025

Just tested my documents partition, searched for *.docx and for "*.docx".
In both cases all documents ending with .docx were found withing a fraction of a second.
So the question is: in what app are you searching? File Explorer (that's the app I used for the search as well.
Can you post a screen shot?

Edit: in the meantime @glasskuter has posted links to tutorials when the search is failing.

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

Before & after searching

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

@Kees Any idea of which of @glasskuter's 2,000+ Search related replies I should check out?

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

Also tried were Chrome's AI suggested fixes in response to "windows 11 search not working". None of them have helped. Here's the text of its suggestions:

"
To fix a non-working Windows 11 search, try restarting the Windows Search service via services.msc or restart the Windows Explorer process in Task Manager. If that doesn't work, run the built-in "Search and Indexing" troubleshooter or rebuild the search index through Indexing Options.

Restart core services

Restart Windows Search service:
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find "Windows Search," right-click it, and select Restart. Ensure its startup type is set to "Automatic".
Restart Windows Explorer:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, go to the "Processes" tab, find "Windows Explorer," right-click it, and select Restart.

Troubleshoot and rebuild index

- Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter:
  Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Find and run the "Search and Indexing" troubleshooter.
- Rebuild the search index:
  Open Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows. Under "Advanced indexing options," click Advanced. In the new window, under "Troubleshooting," click Rebuild.

Other solutions

- Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:
  Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run sfc /scannow. If issues persist, run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
- Check for Windows updates:
  Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for any available updates, as they may contain fixes for the search issue.
  "

glasskuter · Nov 17, 2025

geoB said:
Any idea of which of @glasskuter's 2,000+ Search related replies I should check out

Glasskkuter gave you only 2 tutorials, not 1000's.

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

Oops. Gone in too many directions at once.

Following the two suggested procedures went as follows:

1. "Repair Windows Search..."
Ran "dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"SearchEngine-Client-Package"" successfully.

Failure with:
> dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:"SearchEngine-Client-Package"

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.26100.5074

Image Version: 10.0.26200.7171

Error: 0x800f080c

Feature name SearchEngine-Client-Package is unknown.
A Windows feature name was not recognized.
Use the /Get-Features option to find the name of the feature in the image and try the command again.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

2. Attempting second suggestion, Reset and Rebuild Search Index in Windows 11, I get this:

I remain stuck.

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

Given the above, I tried this: "dism /Online /Get-Features > dism-features.txt". That document includes this:
"
Feature Name : SearchEngine-Client-Package
State : Disabled
"

Which doesn't agree with "Feature name SearchEngine-Client-Package is unknown."

antspants · Nov 17, 2025

I don’t think File Explorer uses wild cards “*” traditionally.

Try:
ext:docx (finds all Word documents)

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

Tried ext:docx. No avail. But thanks. *.docx has worked in the past.

antspants · Nov 17, 2025

geoB said:
Tried ext:docx. No avail. But thanks.

As far as I know, that is the correct (or one of) ways to search for an extension.

I can’t explain the errors or kick back you’re getting from the tutorials that @glasskuter has provided. Can I suggest a repair install?

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade

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geoB · Nov 17, 2025

@antspants : Absolutely. First, though, will be a backup. Gotta save the failure state just in case.

antspants · Nov 17, 2025

geoB said:
@antspants : Absolutely. First, though, will be a backup. Gotta save the failure state just in case.

Nice to read, excellent. Can’t stress backups enough (although I failed to with the suggestion above)

geoB · Nov 17, 2025

I suppose it's nice to have a fresh Windows 11 (thanks, @antspants ). Too bad this computer still doesn't know how to search for documents (or spreadsheets). My aged Win 10 laptop can do it all, though.

antspants · Nov 17, 2025

geoB said:
Too bad this computer still doesn't know how to search for documents (or spreadsheets). My aged Win 10 laptop can do it all, though.

Yeah that’s not right. Something else is wrong.

antspants · Nov 17, 2025

You may want to check that this isn’t profile related. You could check this by creating a new user account to see if the problem persists.
You can remove the new account when done testing:

Add Local User Account in Windows 11

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geoB · Nov 17, 2025

I did try that. Enabled the administrator and got it to try to search for docs. Admin couldn't do it either. Curiously, I was able to do searches a short while back. Tomorrow I'll post a list of "Programs and Features" I've pulled with this "Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* | Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, InstallDate | Format-Table –AutoSize >> C:\InstalledApps.txt". Or at least a meaningful excerpt. My sense of humor escapes me now.

KevTech · Nov 17, 2025

Have you tried the troubleshooter for search and indexing?

Command Prompt Administrator and enter this to open the troubleshooter.

Code:

msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic

antspants · Nov 17, 2025

Curious

Press Win+S, type Indexing Options and open it.
- Click Advanced > go to the File Types tab and confirm docx is listed.
- If docx isn't listed, add it.

Solved Search for *.docx returns nothing

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