Guide: Fix ‘Windows Search Bar Is Missing’ Issue
Some Windows 10 users are reporting that the search bar, a feature not available in earlier versions of the OS, is missing from their computers. Previously, users had to open the Start menu to initiate a search; now, however, this small but useful tweak appears to be absent.
Users may encounter difficulty searching for something if the search bar is either inactive or an error has occurred. We’ll explore both scenarios and provide solutions to help users find what they’re looking for.
1. Windows Search shortcut
Some users find the search bar in the taskbar takes up too much space. To free up room for app icons and shortcuts, press Windows key + S to open a search window with frequently used apps, recently used files and helpful shortcuts.
The Windows search bar in the taskbar is no longer necessary.
2. Turn off tablet mode
To free up space on your screen, disable tablet mode from the action center. This will remove the Windows search bar and make room for other content.
Press the Windows key + A to launch the Action Center.
3. Taskbar settings
Check your taskbar settings to ensure they are configured correctly.
Ensure the search bar is visible on your Windows 10 computer by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Show search box” under Search. For a more streamlined look, choose “Show search icon” to display a smaller icon instead of the full bar.
Right-click the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings” to turn off “Use Small Taskbar Buttons.” Doing so will reduce eye strain and keep the search bar visible.
If you’re having trouble seeing the taskbar on your second monitor, check the settings: make sure “Show taskbar on all monitors” is enabled.
4. Restart Windows Explorer
To restart Windows Explorer, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then locate the Windows Explorer process in the Processes tab and select Restart.
Save all work before restarting Windows Explorer to quickly start processes such as the taskbar and Windows Search button.
5. Windows Search Troubleshooter
To access the Find and Fix Windows Search Problems feature, press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. From there, you can search for and launch the pop-up window.
Windows will now attempt to automatically repair any known errors or bugs it finds. To do so, go to Advanced and select “Apply repairs automatically,” then click Next to continue.
After restarting your computer, check if the Windows search bar is still missing. If so, follow the onscreen instructions.
6. Display the driver update
A Microsoft volunteer suggested updating display drivers as a potential fix for the missing Windows search bar issue. Research indicates outdated drivers can cause various problems, so it’s worth trying this solution - and you can always revert them if it doesn’t work.
Unlock access to Device Manager by locating and opening it.
To update the drivers of your display adapter and monitor, double-click on each device in Device Manager, then right-click and select “Update driver software.”
If you’re unhappy with the update, you can roll back the driver by right-clicking and selecting Properties. On the Driver tab, click the Roll Back Driver button. Once finished, restart your computer.
7. Create a local user
Press the Windows key + I shortcut to open Settings, then navigate to Accounts > Family & other users. Click on the ‘Add someone else to this PC’ option to add a new user.
Choose “I don’t have this person’s login details” from the prompt that appears.
Create a local user account without creating a Microsoft account by clicking ‘Add a user without a Microsoft account.’ This will ensure the same settings are shared, rather than different or default settings that come with a new Microsoft account.
Create a new account by entering your username and password on the next screen and following the instructions.
Press the Windows key and select your new account name from the left sidebar to switch to the newly created local user account.
To fix the missing Windows search bar, go to Settings and select Change account type for the local account you created. This will give it administrator rights.
Select ‘Admin’ from the drop-down menu in the ensuing pop-up and click ‘Save’.
8. Registry Editor Hack
To open the Registry Editor, press Windows Key + R, type regedit and hit Enter.
Go to the folder structure below.
Double-click the SearchboxTaskbarMode key in the right pane to open it.
Right-click to create a new DWORD Value (32-bit) called SearchboxTaskbarMode.
To ensure the Windows search bar appears on the taskbar, users must change the base hex value to 2 before saving and exiting. After doing so, they should check if the error has been resolved.
Find party
For a faster search experience, use the keyboard shortcut instead of the Windows search bar. If it’s missing from your taskbar, you can get it back by adjusting your settings.
Discover a new way to search for images: click the link below to find images not only by name, but also by their dimensions.
Fix ‘Windows Search Bar Is Missing’ Issue: benefits
Faq
Final note
If you’re having trouble with your Windows search bar, this guide can help. Got questions? Reach out to us. And don’t forget to share the love and spread the word!
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