Windows Explorer Search problem

J

Jeff

I had a machine that had spyware that I have removed,
however, using Search in Windows Explorer (not Internet
Explorer) does not work. I was thinking that during the
spyware removal that a registry entry was changed that is
affecting the search function of Windows Explorer. When I
click the search button, it brings up the window that you
would normally see, but it is empty....no error messages,
just empty. I have scanned with antivirus software as
well with the latest defs. I was hoping there were
registry entries I could check/fix for this. Any help is
appreciated.
 
C

Carrie Garth \(MVP\)

I had a machine that had spyware that I have removed <SNIP> search function of
Windows Explorer. When I click the search button, it brings up the window that
you would normally see, but it is empty....no error messages, just empty. I was
hoping there were registry entries I could check/fix for this <SNIP>

Perhaps you have a corrupt C:\WINNT\Web\fsresult.htt (this is template file
used by Windows Explorer for the In-Pane Search). You can rebuild all Web View files
by doing this:

- Quit all programs that are running
- Click Start, and then click Run
- Type the following command, and then click OK:

regsvr32 webvw.dll

When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in webvw.dll succeeded." message, click OK.

Running regsvr32 webvw.dll will overwrite the files installed by default in the
following folders, so if you've customized them make backup copies:

C:\Program Files\desktop.ini AND folder.htt
C:\WINNT\desktop.ini AND folder.htt
C:\WINNT\System32\desktop.ini AND folder.htt
C:\WINNT\Web\*.* (all default files/folders)

Note: C:\WINNT\Web is a System Folder and the files within are hidden. If you can
not see them change your Explorer view options as follows:

Control Panel | Folder Options | View [tab]: Click to select: "Show hidden files and
folders". Click to clear: "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)".
Click to clear: "Hide file extensions for known file types"

In regards to registry entries to check, according to my research the In-pane Search
is a module (band object) that integrates with the shell's user interface and reads
entries from the registry under the following key (watch for wrap):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\
Static\ShellSearch\0

And the registry value entries under this key point to shell32.dll and browseui.dll
(the later via {169A0691-8DF9-11d1-A1C4-00C04FD75D13})

So, you may also want to try resolving your problem by registering these *.dll's. To
do that follow these steps:

- Quit all programs that are running.
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- Type regsvr32 browseui.dll, and then click OK.
- When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in browseui.dll succeeded" message,
click OK.

Check to see if this resolves the problem, and if not repeat steps above but replace
browseui.dll with shell32.dll

And if none of the above resolves the problem I've found that many Windows
Explorer/Internet Explorer problems can be resolved by following the steps in the
Resolution sections of this Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB281679 - You Cannot Open New Internet Explorer Window or Nothing Happens
After You Click a Link
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=281679

For more information about using the Regsvr32 tool (Regsvr32.exe), see the following
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB249873 - Explanation of Regsvr32 Usage and Error Messages
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=249873

And for more information about the Search Panel, see

Microsoft Platform SDK via MSDN
Article: Creating Search Handlers (and links to related topics)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/e...xtending/extensionhandlers/searchhandlers.asp
 
C

Carrie Garth \(MVP\)

I had a machine that had spyware that I have removed <SNIP> search function of
Windows Explorer. When I click the search button, it brings up the window that
you would normally see, but it is empty....no error messages, just empty. I was
hoping there were registry entries I could check/fix for this <SNIP>

Perhaps you have a corrupt C:\WINNT\Web\fsresult.htt (this is template file
used by Windows Explorer for the In-Pane Search). You can rebuild all Web View files
by doing this:

- Quit all programs that are running
- Click Start, and then click Run
- Type the following command, and then click OK:

regsvr32 webvw.dll

When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in webvw.dll succeeded." message, click OK.

Running regsvr32 webvw.dll will overwrite the files installed by default in the
following folders, so if you've customized them make backup copies:

C:\Program Files\desktop.ini AND folder.htt
C:\WINNT\desktop.ini AND folder.htt
C:\WINNT\System32\desktop.ini AND folder.htt
C:\WINNT\Web\*.* (all default files/folders)

Note: C:\WINNT\Web is a System Folder and the files within are hidden. If you can
not see them change your Explorer view options as follows:

Control Panel | Folder Options | View [tab]: Click to select: "Show hidden files and
folders". Click to clear: "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)".
Click to clear: "Hide file extensions for known file types"

In regards to registry entries to check, according to my research the In-pane Search
is a module (band object) that integrates with the shell's user interface and reads
entries from the registry under the following key (watch for wrap):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FindExtensions\
Static\ShellSearch\0

And the registry value entries under this key point to shell32.dll and browseui.dll
(the later via {169A0691-8DF9-11d1-A1C4-00C04FD75D13})

So, you may also want to try resolving your problem by registering these *.dll's. To
do that follow these steps:

- Quit all programs that are running.
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- Type regsvr32 browseui.dll, and then click OK.
- When you receive the "DllRegisterServer in browseui.dll succeeded" message,
click OK.

Check to see if this resolves the problem, and if not repeat steps above but replace
browseui.dll with shell32.dll

And if none of the above resolves the problem I've found that many Windows
Explorer/Internet Explorer problems can be resolved by following the steps in the
Resolution sections of this Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB281679 - You Cannot Open New Internet Explorer Window or Nothing Happens
After You Click a Link
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=281679

For more information about using the Regsvr32 tool (Regsvr32.exe), see the following
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article:

KB249873 - Explanation of Regsvr32 Usage and Error Messages
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=249873

And for more information about the Search Panel, see

Microsoft Platform SDK via MSDN
Article: Creating Search Handlers (and links to related topics)
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/e...xtending/extensionhandlers/searchhandlers.asp
 

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