Hello All, I have a problem recently happen and the solutions I have tried didn't work. Here is the background. I have a windows 7 x64. I noticed when I hit start button --> type anything the "search programs and files" nothing appears. When I click enter or try advance search I get this error: "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item" I did a little digging around forums and solutions and nothing has worked except one, the creation of a new admin user. I would like to fix my main account before this solution is final. Below I have pasted what I have tried. Posting this in permissions because I am leading towards that direction. Based on the error message. Any help would be great. Thank you for taking the time in reading this. What I have tried: 1) Regedit value: (Failed) a. In many places I have seen instructions to delete the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6} key in order to fix this issue but it is not showing up in my registry: I do not have this key on my computer. I have two other keys. {0B2BAAEB-0042-4DCA-AA4D-3EE8648D03E5} & {FBB3477E-C9E4-4B3B-A2BA-D3F5D3CD46F9} 2) Rebuild the index: (Failed) a. Followed process to rebuild the index, nothing worked 3) New user account and move your files over to the new account (worked) a. I know this worked but I do not want to use this as a solution. I would like to know what happened and how to fix it. Plus I would have to reinstall many programs on the new account. 4) System restore: (Not a option) a. I do not know when this issue accord and going back only few days I'm pretty sure the search issue will still be there.

Hi DarkenSky, Thanks for the post! Firstly, ensure the Windows Search service is started. Double-clicl the Services, it's located in %windir%\system32\services.msc If it doesn't work, restart the computer and enter into Safe Mode, how about the search here? Also do a Clean Boot in case of any conflicts. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 Meanwhile, temporarily turn off the firewall/anti-virus software to test the issue. In addition,try this fix: http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_search/en-us. Create a new user account to check if it works. Regards, Miya This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. | Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Hello Miya Yao, Thanks for the post. I'll try these action items when I get home. As for the last fix, create a new user I know this works as previously stated, but I do not want to lose this main admin account. I'll post later on the items below. Firstly, ensure the Windows Search service is started. Double-clicl the Services, it's located in %windir%\system32\services.msc If it doesn't work, restart the computer and enter into Safe Mode, how about the search here? Also do a Clean Boot in case of any conflicts. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 Meanwhile, temporarily turn off the firewall/anti-virus software to test the issue. --- Completed

Hello Miya, Thanks you for the suggestions but they did not work. Still looking for a resolution.

Hi DarkenSky, As you mentioned a new user account works, so I think your this user account could be corrupted. You can try to fix this user profile. Refer to: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/fix-a-corrupted-user-profile Regards, MiyaThis posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. | Please remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.