Missing search tab - File Explorer (Windows 10 - 1909)

I have been having the same problem. If I put **kind:**in the search bar and press Enter it brings up the search tools.

You can also enter the information manually, ex: kind:=pictures for example to bring up all pictures in search. However, there was a time when just clicking in the search field added the tab automatically, I do not know why Microsoft changes things that work so well.

Yes. No wonder more and more people are frustrated with Windows "improvements". 

In addition to annoying and downright stupid., this is this is counterproductive.  I hope someone at Microsoft is listening.

Problem with the work-around you mentioned (key-in any in the File-Explorer the search-field) is that explorer switch you to Explorer "Search-Results" !

Now, any search you do is applied to whatever is in the Search-Results.. 

Work around: You have to search a scope that includes the item you are looking for (e.g. search for "last week" if you not sure the  item created-date is yesterday). 

A

what worked for me was enter anything in the search box and hit enter or the search arrow, the search tab then appears and you can then search again with all the full search tab options.

Yes, I found almost the same thing.  It doesn't work for "anything" but if I use a prior search with one of Explorer's magic words, such as

date:lastmonth

then I do get the Search tab.

Here is my experience that you can try

Press the Win-key

In the open window, type the text:

“Control Panel”  (W/O quotations) and Enter

It opens the screen: “Control Panel\All Control Panel Items”

Click: “Programs and Features”

You are supposed to see a screen with the title: “Uninstall or change a program”

Click on “View installed updates”

It opens long list of updates.

Among them you should see: KB4517245

Select it & uninstall it.

As they say, "take 2-aspirins and call me tomorrow". 

Just kidding.. yet, be nice to know if this "work-around" does any good (beside myself)

A

I have a fresh installation of Windows 10 build 19042 with same problem, search tab is missing.

The list of installed updates is very short and there is no update KB4517245 there to uninstall.

How can I solve this nuisance?