Reset Windows Search to Defaults
Reset Windows Search to Defaults
Problem description
When searching in Windows Vista you may get a message: Search Failed to Initialize.
Solution Information
This Fix it Solution automates the steps described in the following MVP blog post: https://www.winvistaclub.com/t24.html
- Only runs on Vista
- Stops the Windows Search Service
- Configures the service to start= auto
- Sets HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\SetupCompletedSuccessfully to 0 (zero).
- Starts the Windows Search Service
Many thanks to MVP Anand Khanse aka HappyAndyK for his contributions to this Fix it Solution.
Comments
Anonymous
January 01, 2003
Sadly all I got was this fix-it will not work on your system. Great.Anonymous
January 01, 2003
PingBack from http://www.winvistaclub.com/forum/windows-clubhouse/27637-first-mvp-fix.html#post132538Anonymous
January 01, 2003
A post by Anand Khanse, a Windows Desktop Experience MVP from India - Troubleshooting Windows Vista SearchAnonymous
May 17, 2009
all time one message send to Microsotf site with problem cuase in windows live searchAnonymous
August 07, 2009
Re my above message. New update today, same recurring problem.Anonymous
September 30, 2009
I have no Fricken idea how to activate or download this fixAnonymous
November 14, 2009
So how the freak do we reset the windows search to defaults!!!!!!! This site is useless!Anonymous
May 02, 2010
The search engine on my computer has stopped working. Will no longer search downloaded photos or documents. Its memory may be full. The server that makes it work may have shut down. How do I fix itAnonymous
May 13, 2010
I have the same problem. Se3arch engine is not working. This is a nightmare.Anonymous
January 14, 2011
Sadly, the FIX-IT option downloaded, but gave an error message others received.Anonymous
February 08, 2011
The comment has been removedAnonymous
July 25, 2011
Why do I keep getting a blue screen saying it is dumping?Anonymous
October 26, 2011
I'm trying to uninstall a program. And it keeps telling me" The windows Istaller service could not be accessed.This can occur if the windows installer is not correctly installed. Contact your Support Personell for assistence....What am I surposed to do..Or what did I do wrong...???Anonymous
March 17, 2015
same problem, other place. The search is not working. Hopefully you can quickly afford a solution. While it isn't working I use third party like Lookeen. Good, solid search tool. (I think after that my finances are at a low ebb).