The Windows Search toolbar is a Microsoft Windows operating system feature that allows users to search for files, folders, and other content on their computers. It can be accessed by clicking the search icon on the taskbar or pressing the keyboard’s Windows key. The toolbar displays a search box where users can type keywords or phrases related to the content they are looking for. The results are displayed in real-time as the user types, making it easy to find what they need quickly. The Windows Search toolbar also integrates with other Windows features, such as Cortana, to provide users with more information and actions related to their search results.
Users can search for files, directories, and other forms of material saved on their respective computers by utilizing the Windows Search Toolbar, an essential component of the Windows operating system. Users can also search for material that is saved online using this toolbar. However, many users have complained that the search toolbar regularly freezes up or crashes, making it more difficult for them to access the information they seek. However, the fact that this can be both frustrating and time-consuming is balanced out by the fact that there are many different ways to solve this problem.
Corrupted Windows Index
A primary factor contributing to the instability of the Windows Search Toolbar is a corrupted copy of the Windows index. The index is a database that provides a catalog of the files and folders stored on your computer. Information about those files and directories can be found within this database. This database makes it feasible for the search tool to quickly discover the content you are looking for. On the other side, if the index gets corrupted, the search tool might not display the correct results or even completely crash.
To fix this issue, you can rebuild the Windows index by following these steps:
- Open the Control Panel
- Click on “Indexing Options”
- In the “Indexing Options” window, click on “Advanced.”
- Click on “Rebuild”
When rebuilding is finished, which could take a few minutes, the search toolbar should function again correctly. However, the rebuilding process could take longer. You can also reset the Windows index if the issue continues after you’ve done so. To accomplish this, follow these procedures in the order given.:
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
- Enter “netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt” and then press Enter key
- Then Restart your computer
This will reset the index in Windows, which might help fix the problem of crashing the search toolbar.
Outdated Drivers
Outdated drivers are another major factor that contributes to the instability of the Windows Search Toolbar. If the drivers on your computer need to be updated, it can lead to various issues, including the computer crashing. Drivers are the software that controls the hardware on your computer. Follow these steps to determine whether or not your drivers are out of date:
- Open the Device Manager
- Search for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark
- Right-click on the device and choose “Update Driver.”
This process will update any drivers that are out of date, and once it’s finished, the search toolbar should begin functioning as intended once more. To ensure that your computer operates without hiccups, it is essential to check for and install any available driver updates regularly.
Virus or Malware Infection
A Windows Search Toolbar malfunction may also result from a virus or other malicious software infection. In addition to causing various issues, such as system failures, malicious software can steal private information stored on your computer. You can use Windows Defender or another antivirus tool to check whether or not your computer has been infected with a virus.
- Open Windows Defender
- Click on “Virus & threat protection.”
- Click on “Scan now.”
If your computer is attacked, Windows Defender will eliminate the harmful software, and the search toolbar should begin operating as intended. It is critical to safeguard the integrity of your data and avoid malicious software infestations by scanning your computer for viruses regularly.
Missing or Corrupted System Files
A crash in the Windows Search Toolbar may also be caused by files within the system that are either missing or corrupted. It is possible for various issues, including system crashes, to manifest themselves if these files are absent from or corrupted within the operating system. They are essential to the system’s operation. You can resolve this problem by utilizing the System File Checker application included with Windows on your computer.
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
- Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter
- Wait for the scan to complete
Your computer’s system files will be inspected by the tool known as System File Checker, which will then repair or replace any files found to be corrupted or missing. The problem with the Windows Search Toolbar crashing should now be resolved after doing this.
Alternative Search Option
You can utilize the AnyTXT search tool if none of those mentioned earlier solutions are successful or if you wish to test out a different search option. AnyTXT is a search engine that is both quick and effective, and it gives you the ability to search for content on your computer and the internet. You can search for the information you require across various mediums, including emails, folders, and files, using AnyTXT. The graphical user-friendly interface makes it simple, and the ability to tailor search results to individual requirements makes it flexible. AnyTXT can also be downloaded as a browser extension, which makes it much simpler to use the software from any location on your computer.
To summarise, the Windows Search Toolbar is an indispensable component for searching for information kept on your personal computer, yet, it is prone to crashing sometimes. In this post, we discussed some of the most common reasons why the Windows Search Toolbar crashes and how to solve them. These reasons include a tainted index on Windows, too old drivers, infections with viruses or malware, and system files that are either missing or corrupted. AnyTXT is a fast and effective search engine that can assist you in locating the information you are looking for if none of the abovementioned alternatives are successful for you or if you wish to attempt a different search option.
