I have an Acer computer running Windows 11 and using NVDA. Last night, it did a fairly large update. I thought the update was mainly for edge, but I use chrome, so I didn’t tell it to complete. Today, I am not able to use the Windows key to search for anything. If I hit the key and then the spacebar it goes to a pin list where I can find some things. I can also get onto the Internet using chrome from the shortcut on my desktop. It is just a search bar that won’t work. I wonder why.
Comments
Questions
Have you installed any custom UI mods lately, such as Classic Start, or anything from Stardock, such as Start11?
Also, have you any 3rd party search apps and/or add-ons that might be taking over Windows Search?
Finally, have you considered using the Debloat scripts with PowerShell, which do wonders for Windows Search, including, but not limited to, removing Bing integration?
I think you need to force an update
Hi honest nan,
I think you need to get Windows to finish that update. I imagine interrupting that update did something to the search bar. Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to get to the settings, then search for 'Windows update' if a search box comes up, (you'll hear 'windows update settings') and press Enter on this. If a search box doesn't come up, press Tab until you hear 'home', then arrow down until you hear 'Windows update'. It's right at the bottom. Now press Enter. It might automatically tell you there's an update, or you can tab around and find it.
Hope that helps, and Brian's suggestions are worth thinking about too.
Start button doesn't always initiate standard search Win 11
It is a good idea to let installations finish and to restart your PC first. Having said that: I noticed lately that when I press the start key that occasionally it takes me to a webpage as soon as I start typing, and I am not able to finish typing because my screen reader is now in browse mode. The page doesn't appear to even have an edit field for searching. This happens about 50% of the time. So I don't always get the expected result when I initiate search with the start button on my keyboard.
I only have edge installed so far since I bought the new machine.
I tried sending feedback to Microsoft but the feedback center is so difficult to use especially the steps recorder that I was not able to complete the action there.