[SOLVED] Windows 11 search service won't start, throws error 15 (disk not found).

[Minaz]

On my Windows 11 computer laptop, when I perform a search or even use apps like OneNote, I get a message telling me that my search service is disabled, and to re-enable it to get faster searches. However, when I try to reenable the search service (by running services.msc in admin mode), I keep getting the error message "Windows could not start the search service on local computer. Error 15: The system cannot find the drive specified."

I've tried updating Windows, running sfc /scannow, rebooting the computer, restarting the service, rebuilding/deleting the index, and using the searching and indexing troubleshooter. None of these seem to work. Rebuilding/deleting doesn't work because the search service won't start, you can see it attempt to start the search service multiple times but never succeeding. What could be going on?

 

[Colif]

did sfc /scannow fix anything when you ran it?

I wonder if a repair install would fix it - https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

 

[Minaz]

did sfc /scannow fix anything when you ran it?

I wonder if a repair install would fix it - https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

Hi,

It did not. Both SFC and DISM reported no errors at all.

I tend to want to try everything else before the final option (reinstallation). Although I read that this particular in-place installation will keep your settings in place, I have found in my experience that these sorts of things are very "YMMV" and the major headache is figuring out what has been changed and what hasn't. Although I do admit, this sometimes fixes the error.

 

[Colif]

repair install just replaces windows, its not a clean install. Everything else should be as it is now. You will just need to get the Cumulative updates

I only suggested it as you seemed to have done everything I was going to suggest.

 

[Minaz]

repair install just replaces windows, its not a clean install. Everything else should be as it is now. You will just need to get the Cumulative updates

I only suggested it as you seemed to have done everything I was going to suggest.

Thanks. So I tried doing a replacement installation, and ran into a snag. About halfway through, while its doing and the pre-checks, the installer says that it couldn't determine if I have enough space to finish installation and suggested I restart the installation. I tried that, same result. I have almost 8GB of free space on my HDD, is that enough or is there something else going on? (To save space, I moved the installer off the hard drive on the second attempt.)
Edit: managed to find a workaround. Attempting now, fingers crossed.

 

[Minaz]

did sfc /scannow fix anything when you ran it?

I wonder if a repair install would fix it - https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

Extremely pleased to report this solution worked and it is now FIXED. Thank you so much!