Solved Windows 11 PRO accidentally deleted Webview2 - now search bar not working

Hello elevenforum!


I am competitive gamer and I have a habit to open task manager (which is pinned on the task bar for easy use).
I have a habit to delete unnecessary running applications. (So that the system runs as smooth as possible).

I noticed a Search running and it had (7) under processes.
There was four to five webtoview processes running.
What I did was right click on the webtoview and went to folder location: C:/ProgramFiles(x86)/Microsoft/EdgeWebView/Application/143.0.3650.96
I think it was this because I did it pretty fast and used program ActivityViewer to check it later.
I deleted the webtoview2 and the Search process disappeared and I started to play.
After I was done, I noticed that Search bar is not working and just loading.


I have now learned that I shouldnt do that and I learned that Edge and Webtoview is better to leave untouched because they can
make the system unstable.

Usually I fast close running applications like Widgets, MicrosoftStartFeedProvider, WidgetsService.exe and small things like this.
Its from a habit so that the system runs smooth, but now I have very powerful system and I think its unneccesary.

What I have done so far:

1. Downloaded Webtoview again from: Microsoft Edge WebView2 | Microsoft Edge Developer
2. Downloaded Microsoft Edge again from the Microsoft Store.
3. From installed programs right click Microsoft Edge Webtoview2 Runtime and fix/repair but is not working.
4. Go to Services end and start Search and set automatic, not working.
5. Trying to troubleshoot Search bar not working correctly and just loading, I think it is not working because I deleted the webtoview from the file path.
6. Tried Updating Windows

The problem is that the Search bar is not working and it is stuck on loading when it pops up from the task bar.


I need help for solving this issue where Search is not working

Haku means Search in my language, there was (7) things running four to five was webtoview.

Now there is only one Search running.

Try running SFC /SCANNOW and post results.

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.

Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.


Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

It is new PC working flawlessly,
until I went to the webtoview from the task manager file path and deleted the webtoview2.

Repair install. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade

I will do that and report back my findings and how did it worked

windows11pro777 said:

I deleted the webtoview2

Click to expand...

Updating Edge usually installs the latest webtoview2, since it is part of it, so I would not worry about it.

windows11pro777 said:

Usually I fast close running applications like Widgets, MicrosoftStartFeedProvider, WidgetsService.exe and small things like this.

Click to expand...

You can uninstall Widgets. Not sure what MicrosoftStartFeedProvider is, I do not use Start.

windows11pro777 said:

I am competitive gamer and I have a habit to open task manager (which is pinned on the task bar for easy use).

Click to expand...

Task Manager is buggy lately and it can use up to 10% of CPU. Try System Informer Canary (digitally signed now).

This might help,

Fabler2 said:

This might help,

Microsoft Update Catalog

Click to expand...

Small popup window appears which reads in my language: "Unknown install error."

I am currently backing up the computer.

Then I'm going to do this: Repair install. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade.

And see if it will solve any problems.

If you have System Restore turned on you could just roll back to a previous date.

Rollback_Jockey said:

If you have System Restore turned on you could just roll back to a previous date.

Click to expand...

This is actually huge advice, because like 2 hours before I deleted the webview2 folder, I actually updated windows and it did create a restore point.

My backup is now also complete.

I will try restoring it using the restore point and will update once its finished.

Big thanks for Rollback_Jockey (your name also )

It actually worked to roll it back.

What I did learn is that remember to take Restore Points often, they can save you from totally messing up your system.

Heres also the picture with the Search application with (7) under processes that I went to file path and deleted, its restored now to its previous state.

Now the Search bar works like normal and everything is perfect.


I wont be closing and just randomly deleting things because they definitely have an impact on your system.


THANKS you are best!

windows11pro777 said:

I am competitive gamer and I have a habit to open task manager (which is pinned on the task bar for easy use).

Click to expand...

Right clicking on the task bar also gives you a context menu with the task manager.

windows11pro777 said:

I wont be closing and just randomly deleting things because they definitely have an impact on your system.

Click to expand...

If that is at least one take-a-away you get from your visit here, it has been a success.

windows11pro777 said:

Big thanks for Rollback_Jockey (your name also )

Click to expand...

I drove a vehicle recovery truck for 4 years hence the handle.