The "Search programs and files" box does not display search results correctly in Windows 7 and in Windows 2008 R2

On a computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, you try to search for an item on the computer by using the Search programs and files box. However, the search results are not displayed correctly. Only the category headings of the categorized search results are displayed, such as Programs, Control Panel, and Documents.

Additionally, if you click the displayed category headings, nothing happens.

Notes

• To search the computer by using the Search programs and files box, click Start
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  , and then type some text in the Search programs and files box.
• If you restart the computer, the issue persists.

Update information

How to obtain this update

A supported update is available from Microsoft.

If the update is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the update.
Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific update. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the update is available. If you do not see your language, it is because an update is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this update, your must be running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Registry information

To use the update in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this update.

Update replacement information

This update does not replace a previously released update.

File information

The English (United States) version of this update installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time and with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

Important Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 updates are included in the same packages.

• The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:
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  Version	Product	Milestone	Service branch
  6.1.760 0.16xxx	Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2	RTM	GDR
  6.1.760 0.20xxx	Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2	RTM	LDR

• GDR service branches contain only those fixes that are widely released to address widespread, critical issues. LDR service branches contain hotfixes in addition to widely released fixes.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: To work around this issue, use the following method:

Delete the whole registry subkey

1. Press the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard.
2. In the Run box, type regedit and then press ENTER.
   
   
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   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Locate the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}
4. Right-click this subkey, and then select Delete.
5. Restart the computer.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: