Start 11 v2 search not working

from Stardock Forums

Hi, I have a PC shared by three users, each with their own login profile. Randomly, the profiles stop working with the search function (old Windows 10), meaning they don't find any results. To get the feature back, I have to delete the user profile from c:\users\<user> and recreate it. However, this isn't convenient because I have to reset the entire user profile. I've tried

- uninstalling Start11, restart, reinstalling it, restart

- rebuilding the Windows index

- deleting registry keys (searching for start8/start10/start11/stardock)

- deleting the stardock directories on the PC (c:\program files...) and in the user profiles (es. appdata)

but there's no solution other than rebuilding the user profile.

Is there a way to get the feature back without having to delete the user profile? I also tried a purge script found in the support forum, but it doesn't work (i.e., the feature doesn't restart). Thanks.

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14,054 views 24 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Is it files it cannot find, or programs?

Is it possible you (or some optimizing tool) have disabled the Windows indexing service as without that the search results will show apps and settings only.

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

No, indexing service is working properly.

Please tell me how can I completely remove and reinstall Start11, especially installation traces in user profile, without recreating it.

Thanks

Andrea

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Please try purge and reinstall steps as mention here : [Link]. Just make sure to redownload the latest version from your account page. Reboot after the purge. Reinstall and reboot again after the installation. Retest and report back here.

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Already done this. It didn't work.

Thanks

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
I have forwarded your problem again to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience. Thank you.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top


Hi, I have a PC shared by three users, each with their own login profile. Randomly, the profiles stop working with the search function (old Windows 10)

Why are you not using the new search option?

If you have the TaskBar search (Windows native search) there, does it return results?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Good day, I'm using "old Start10 search" because I need to index and search, directly from the start menu, using the old Windows engine.

That because it's the only way to search directly in windows libraries, from start menu: actually my libraries have folders mapped to network paths. That's the main reason I bought Start11. 

Using new default Win11 search engine, network paths are not supported at all, even using libraries, due to MS choice.

Actually I'm using MS roaming profiles from a network file server, and folder redirection (for appdata, mapped elsewhere away from profile).

BTW, the problem here is that with some profiles the situation is working, but with some others, not, unless I completely rebuild user profile from scratch (delete it from file server and from clients, and let windows regenerate from "default user" structure, let's say).

The workaround I'm searching for is to clean user profile corrupted settings for Start11, without to recreate it every time.

Thanks

Andrea

 

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting agumirato, reply 8

The workaround I'm searching for is to clean user profile corrupted settings for Start11, without to recreate it every time.

It seems that you have a non-standard setup that you are trying to accommodate (not a criticism, just an initial observation).  The best way to nuke a Start11 install is with the purge:

https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1349320730/Start+Menu+purging+and+re-installing

Quoting agumirato, reply 8

BTW, the problem here is that with some profiles the situation is working, but with some others, not, unless I completely rebuild user profile from scratch (delete it from file server and from clients, and let windows regenerate from "default user" structure, let's say).

They key then is finding out how those profiles that are not working are unique.  How have your efforts progressed to find out what makes them so?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello, the purge suggested didn't work, as I quoted above.

Actually I tried to compare user profiles, but registry keys fot Stardock seems to be the same.

The key is to completely clear Start11 settings, and perhaps Old Windows Engine Search settings (can it be the problem? I only tried to regenerate index)

Thanks

Andrea

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Finally I removed user profile.... sadly... once more time....

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Hey! I'm having this problem too. I have one user, one system, one computer. Suddenly, Start stopped searching for applications, files, and the meaning of life. I haven't made any changes, just standard system and program updates.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting agumirato, reply 10

Actually I tried to compare user profiles, but registry keys fot Stardock seems to be the same.

Its not the Start11 reg keys that would be the issue, its the profile itself.  That is not an easy task if how its different is not obvious.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Do you see apps and settings returned still, just not files? Or literally no results ever?

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Disable the option for start10 style searches, do you still get no results?

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

No, disabling old start10 search works, but it uses new search engine that won't find files in network shares. I need to use old search.

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting agumirato, reply 17

No, disabling old start10 search works, but it uses new search engine that won't find files in network shares. I need to use old search.

The search engines should show the same results for files.  The difference should be in how it appears visually.

Note that searching network shares when it is not indexed would be a painful experience.

Reply #19 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Neil, reply 18

Note that searching network shares when it is not indexed would be a painful experience.

And is it only every the network share that showcase the issue?

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top

Network share are indexed using windows server indexing service.

Btw please help me rebuild working condition on local client without to delete user profile

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

I'm also having an issue with search results. Specifically files in the "Downloads" library/folder. I am seeing results from Apps, Documents, Music, Pictures. I have never used the "old Start10 style search". I have confirmed this folder is indexed.

If I turn off "Use Start11 search in the Start11 menu" the files in Downloads do appear in search.

In Windows settings "Privacy & security-> Search" I have been using the "Classic" setting under "Find my files", changing to "Enhanced" seems to make no difference.

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Yesterday I modified the indexed folders to include my user folder with Downloads sub directory selected instead of just directly selecting the Download folder and now these files are appearing in search. Weird but glad it's working again.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting cybergrimes, reply 23

Yesterday I modified the indexed folders to include my user folder with Downloads sub directory selected instead of just directly selecting the Download folder and now these files are appearing in search. Weird but glad it's working again.

Pleased to read.

Sean Drohan
Stardock Product Lifecycle Manager