Fix Incorrect Results in the Windows 7 Search Box

The search box in Windows 7 can return incorrect results when users search for programs and files, Microsoft revealed.

The software giant explained that the issue has been reported by customers running Windows 7, as well as by those leveraging Windows Server 2008 R2.

The Search programs and files box under the Windows 7 Start Menu drastically streamlines the search process, and it’s the best way to find anything from applications and files to control panel options, but also additional items.

But it appears that in certain scenarios the results returned to user queries are not exactly what customers are looking for.

“On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you try to search for an item on the computer by using the Search programs and files box,” the software giant said.

“However, the search results are not displayed correctly. Only the category headings of the categorized search results are displayed, such as Programs, Control Panel, and Documents. Additionally, if you click the displayed category headings, nothing happens.”

Microsoft explained that restarting the computer will not make this issue go away.

One thing that will fix it is upgrading from Windows 7 RTM to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). This because Windows 7 SP1 contains a hotfix designed to resolve this specific issue. At this point in time Microsoft has not offered an update to automatically fix the problem.

The hotfix is however available as a standalone download from Microsoft Support for those customers that are reluctant still to upgrade to Windows 7 SP1.

They also have a manual workaround at their disposal, Microsoft revealed:

“Press the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard. In the Run box, type regedit and then press ENTER. Collapse this imageExpand this imageIf you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

“Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}. Right-click this subkey, and then select Delete. Restart the computer,” the company said.

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM Build 7601.17514.101119-1850 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RTM are available for download here.

Windows 7 RTM Enterprise 90-Day Evaluation is available for download here.