Windows 11 Search shows only icons but no text in search results – problem occurs only in one user profile

Alireza Aghababaei 0 Reputation points
2026-08-18T17:24:41.69+00:00

Hello,

I have a strange issue with Windows 11 Search that I have not been able to fix.

The problem

When I search for anything using Windows Search, the search results appear, but only the icons are visible. The names and text descriptions of apps, files, and other search results are completely missing.

For example, if I search for Notepad, I can see the Notepad icon in the search results, but the text "Notepad" does not appear.

This happens for all applications and search results, not just specific apps or files.

The rest of Windows appears normal. Text is displayed correctly in File Explorer, Settings, and other applications. The problem only affects the Windows Search interface.

User's image

Important discovery: the problem is user-profile specific

I created a new Windows user account on the same computer.

Windows Search works perfectly in the new account. All search result text is displayed normally.

Therefore:

  • Windows itself seems to be working correctly.
  • The Windows Search service is working.
  • The problem only occurs in my original user profile.

I also copied all my personal files from the old profile to the new profile, including a large amount of data from my user folder. The new account still works correctly, and Windows Search still displays text normally.

My Windows Information:

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 26H1

Installed on ‎8/‎4/‎2026

OS build 28000.2704

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.335.0

Things I have already tried

I have already tried many troubleshooting steps, including:

1. Windows system repair

  • Ran sfc /scannow
  • Ran DISM repair commands
  • Restarted the computer

These did not fix the problem.

2. Windows Search troubleshooting

I tried restarting Windows Search-related processes and services.

I also rebuilt/reset the Windows Search index.

The problem remained.

3. Font investigation

Because only the text in Windows Search was missing, I initially suspected a font problem.

However:

  • Text works normally everywhere else in Windows.
  • Only Windows Search is affected.
  • The new user account works correctly.

Therefore, it does not appear to be a general system font problem.

4. Theme and accessibility settings

I tried:

  • Switching from Dark Mode to Light Mode
  • Disabling transparency effects
  • Checking contrast themes / High Contrast settings
  • Checking text size and display settings

None of these fixed the problem.

5. Resetting the Windows Search package

Because the issue occurs only in my original user profile, I tried resetting/re-registering the Windows Search-related package.

I renamed the following folder while logged into a different user account:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy

I also removed the following registry key from the affected account:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search

Then I re-registered the package using PowerShell and restarted Windows.

This did not fix the problem.

6. Reset-AppxPackage

I also tried resetting:

Get-AppxPackage

and also attempted to reset:

MicrosoftWindows

where applicable.

This did not fix the problem.

And Many other things I did without any successful results.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Start Menu
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-08-18T17:25:13.9066667+00:00

    Because the issue is limited to one profile and Windows Search works in a newly created account, the supported next steps are the per-user Windows Search reset methods and verification steps below.

    1. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter again from an elevated Command Prompt:
    msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic

    Select the symptoms that match the problem and let Windows attempt repairs.

    1. Restart the Windows Search UI process for Windows 11:
      • Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and open Task Manager.
      • Go to Details.
      • Right-click SearchHost.exe and select End task.
      • Confirm End process.

    The next search starts the process again automatically.

    1. Reset Windows Search with the supported PowerShell reset script for Windows 11.
      • Check the execution policy in an elevated PowerShell window:
    Get-ExecutionPolicy
    • If it is not Unrestricted, temporarily change it:
    Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

    This changes script execution behavior and shows a security warning, so revert it afterward.

    • Download ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 from the Microsoft download listed in the documentation.
    • Right-click the script and select Run with PowerShell.
    • When Done appears, restore the previous execution policy if it was changed:
    Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy <PreviousValue>
    1. Use the documented per-user regeneration method for Windows 11 if the reset script does not help. This is a higher-risk step because it includes deleting a registry key, so back up the registry first.
      • Sign in to another user account, or use Windows Recovery Environment.
      • Confirm Search works in a newly created account. That condition is already met here.
      • Delete this folder for the affected profile:
    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy
    • While signed in to the affected account, open Registry Editor and delete:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Search
    • Open an elevated PowerShell window and run:
    Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy\Appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register
    • Restart the PC.

    This action restarts search indexing and regenerates the registry key and AppData folder.

    1. After restart, allow indexing time to rebuild. During rebuild, results can be incomplete. In Searching Windows > Advanced indexing options, check whether indexing is still in progress.

    If these supported Search reset steps still do not resolve the profile-specific problem, the available context only confirms that profile-specific Search issues can indicate user-profile corruption, and testing with a new profile is the validation path already used.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. Clary-N 15,925 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-19T06:37:37.5966667+00:00

    Hi Alireza Aghababaei,

    Thank you for providing such detailed information and for documenting the extensive troubleshooting you've already completed.

    The fact that Windows Search works correctly in a newly created user account is a very important clue. It suggests that the Windows Search service, indexing engine and underlying Windows components are functioning correctly, and that the issue is isolated to the affected user profile.

    Since you've already performed the commonly recommended Search reset and regeneration procedures, I would focus next on determining whether something within the profile environment is interfering with the Search interface.

    As a next step, please try starting Windows in Safe Mode with Networking and then test Windows Search while signed in to the affected account:

    1. Hold Shift while selecting Restart from the Start menu.
    2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
    3. Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
    4. Sign in to the affected profile and check whether Search results display text normally.

    If the text appears correctly in Safe Mode, that would suggest that a non-Microsoft service, startup application or customization utility loaded during a normal startup may be affecting the Search UI.

    In that case, you could perform a Clean Boot to help identify the cause:

    1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig and press Enter.
    2. On the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
    3. Open Task Manager > Startup apps and disable all startup items.
    4. Restart the PC and test Windows Search again.

    *Disclaimer: A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. 

    These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get back on track.

    I would also be interested to know whether you have any UI customization software installed, custom themes, font replacement utilities or similar tools, as these can occasionally affect Start Menu and Search rendering.

    I hope this helps point you in the right direction. Please keep me updated on the results of the Safe Mode and Clean Boot tests, I'll be happy to review them with you.

    If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.