How to Reset Windows Search in Windows 11

Windows Search helps you find files, apps, and settings on your computer quickly. Sometimes, it might stop working right — like not showing results or being very slow. Don’t worry! You can reset Windows Search to fix these problems.

Resetting Windows Search just rebuilds the search system and won’t delete any of your files. It might take a little time before search works perfectly again.

Steps to Reset Windows Search

Step 1: Download the Reset Script

Microsoft provides a small program (script) to reset Windows Search. Click the link below to download it:

Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1

Select your language and save the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder.

Step 2: Open Windows Terminal as Administrator

⚠️ Admin privileges required

You need to run the script with special permissions (admin rights). To do this:

1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
2. Type Windows Terminal.
3. Right-click on Windows Terminal and choose Run as administrator.
4. If you want, you can also open Windows Terminal with admin rights by following this guide.

Step 3: Run the Reset Script

In the Terminal window, type the command below. Replace <Full path of ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 file> with the actual path to the file you downloaded.

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -File "<Full path of ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 file>"

For example, if your file is in Downloads and your username is User01, type:

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -File "C:\Users\User01\Downloads\ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1"

Step 4: Confirm Running the Script

When you see a prompt, type R and press Enter to start the reset.

After the script finishes, Windows Search will be reset. You might notice it takes a little time to start working normally again as it rebuilds the search index.

Why Reset Windows Search?

• Fixes problems like no search results showing up.
• Improves slow or laggy search performance.
• Corrects wrong or missing suggestions.

Important Notes

• You must run the script as an administrator to reset Windows Search.
• Resetting will not delete your personal files.
• The search might feel a bit slow right after resetting because Windows is rebuilding the search database.

Where to Learn More

For official details and troubleshooting tips, visit Microsoft Support – Fix Windows Search Problems.

Need Help?

If you get stuck or have questions, please leave a comment below or ask someone you trust for help.

Summary

Windows Search sometimes stops working properly or becomes slow. Resetting it rebuilds the search system without deleting your files. Download the reset script from Microsoft, open Windows Terminal with admin rights, run the script command, and confirm it by typing R. The process takes a bit of time but fixes search issues and improves performance. Your personal files stay safe during the reset.