Cortana Search Help please.

[Nimbi]

Hello,

I have completely removed Cortana from my pc believing it was causing my Intel HD Graphics Display driver to disable itself, but now I found out it is actually UxStyle that was doing it the whole time. I tried to regain Cortana in every way I can think of, including a factory reset, and it all failed. In fact the factory reset simply removed the leftover icons and folders. The only thing left is the search icon on the taskbar. My help request is this, is there a way to set the search icon to work in a way similar to the ones in This Pc and such. I would like to use it to find programs on my system so I won't have to manually search for them. (like the system programs or even downloaded apps and such). atm the search button literally doesn't do anything. clicking it hs no effect. Trying to type into it while its showing as the search bar is also to no avail because it doesn't seem to be selectable. Is there a reg file to be used that can create a redirect for it to make it serve as a way to find things on my system by typing in their names? If not, please tell me how to permanently delete the icon from my taskbar, because ive searched for ways to do that as well and everything I find is just multiple different ways to 'hide' it which can easily be done via the taskbar's context menu. Here are some screenshots of all it is now.


72108

72109

72110

The screenshots show all it is, it's literally only eye candy now. one even shows the area of regedit that Cortana's reg files should've been if it were still on my pc. I would grately appreciate help with this. Whether it be to completely and permanently delete the search icon/bar from the taskbar or t redirect it as a way to search for different programs, apps, files and/or folders through.

[Shemhamforash]

For hiding the cortana icons on the taskbar:
http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/650x323xWindows_1015-650x323.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.3dN-C7Xhu2.png
For searching for files and folders I recommend Everything, very nice tool.
http://www.heise.de/download/everything-822512d3022fb989c96c01142be41707-1415325233-2660075.html
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Everything-Search-Engine.png
(http://www.heise.de/download/everything-822512d3022fb989c96c01142be41707-1415325233-2660075.html)

[Mr GRiM]

Isn't it easier to press the windows key and start typing to search for programs?

[Nimbi]

For hiding the cortana icons on the taskbar:
http://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/650x323xWindows_1015-650x323.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.3dN-C7Xhu2.png
For searching for files and folders I recommend Everything, very nice tool.
http://www.heise.de/download/everything-822512d3022fb989c96c01142be41707-1415325233-2660075.html
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Everything-Search-Engine.png
(http://www.heise.de/download/everything-822512d3022fb989c96c01142be41707-1415325233-2660075.html)

Hiding can be done with ease, but it doesn't fully delete the icon. as for the tool, if it worked through the icon/search thing then that might work, but since it doesn't appear to then I would still need to find a way to completely 'delete' the search icon from the taskbar.

Isn't it easier to press the windows key and start typing to search for programs?

That feature was built into Cortana, by removing Cortana that feature was also removed. (I just tried and it didn't do anything) Apparently the search features in start menu were packaged together with Cortana.

[Mr GRiM]

Hiding can be done with ease, but it doesn't fully delete the icon. as for the tool, if it worked through the icon/search thing then that might work, but since it doesn't appear to then I would still need to find a way to completely 'delete' the search icon from the taskbar.


That feature was built into Cortana, by removing Cortana that feature was also removed. (I just tried and it didn't do anything) Apparently the search features in start menu were packaged together with Cortana.

When you say it doesn't fully delete the icon do you mean it is still visible on the taskbar?

[Nimbi]

When you say it doesn't fully delete the icon do you mean it is still visible on the taskbar?


No i mean that the context menu option only hides the icon. I want to completely remove it all together. It's just a waste for something with no actual use to even be on my comp imo. I know it probs doesnt use any space but i have ocd and it gets annoying when i have something with no actual use on my comp.

[Mr GRiM]

This will let you disable Cortana but keep the search function http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/25118-cortana-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html

[Nimbi]

This will let you disable Cortana but keep the search function http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/25118-cortana-enable-disable-windows-10-a.html


....... there's no Cortana on my computer... all that's left is the taskbar search icon.,,,, that's why I'm trying to remove that icon. Cortana was permanently removed from my system by a .reg file I used when I thought Cortana was responsible for my display driver being disabled. All of the files for Cortana are gone, including all of the system files and registry entrees. That link wont be any use since there is nothing left to enable and/or disable. Factory reset didn't even restore Cortana.


===EDIT===

I just found a link on Microsoft website of people who had the exact same problem. Oddly, it may be possible that their reason is why Cortana simply isn't on my pc. I'll wait to se if the solution that fixed it on theirs will fix it on mine. Here's the link.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_cortana/cortana-missing-from-windows-10-upgrade/560998f5-18f3-40a5-ab48-6c082d20533c?auth=1

[Mr GRiM]

....... there's no Cortana on my computer... all that's left is the taskbar search icon.,,,, that's why I'm trying to remove that icon. Cortana was permanently removed from my system by a .reg file I used when I thought Cortana was responsible for my display driver being disabled. All of the files for Cortana are gone, including all of the system files and registry entrees. That link wont be any use since there is nothing left to enable and/or disable. Factory reset didn't even restore Cortana.


===EDIT===

I just found a link on Microsoft website of people who had the exact same problem. Oddly, it may be possible that their reason is why Cortana simply isn't on my pc. I'll wait to se if the solution that fixed it on theirs will fix it on mine. Here's the link.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_cortana/cortana-missing-from-windows-10-upgrade/560998f5-18f3-40a5-ab48-6c082d20533c?auth=1

I think this will be the best solution as it looks like your system is pretty messed up http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/16397-repair-install-windows-10-place-upgrade.html

[Shemhamforash]

If you uninstalled cortana with the files I linked you to (I linked you the article where it's from too) there is a disclaimer at the top:
Caution: Uninstalling Cortana breaks the Windows 10 Start Menu and probably Search so don't use this if you use the native menu. You will not be able to get it working back easily. You will not be able to-reinstall it quickly without using the genuine install.wim file. For most users, this means that Cortana will be removed from Windows 10 permanently. Think twice before you will continue.

To reinstall you need to follow these steps:

On Windows 10 setup disk there is the “install.wim” file.
Open it with 7zip or apply it with dism to some folder.
Find the Programs Files\Windows Apps folder.
Find Cortana there.
Copy the whole folder and paste in your c:\Program Files\Windows Apps folder.
Run Power Shell as Administrator and execute the following command:
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-uninstall-and-remove-cortana-in-windows-10/

[Nimbi]

If you uninstalled cortana with the files I linked you to (I linked you the article where it's from too) there is a disclaimer at the top:
Caution: Uninstalling Cortana breaks the Windows 10 Start Menu and probably Search so don't use this if you use the native menu. You will not be able to get it working back easily. You will not be able to-reinstall it quickly without using the genuine install.wim file. For most users, this means that Cortana will be removed from Windows 10 permanently. Think twice before you will continue.

To reinstall you need to follow these steps:


http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-uninstall-and-remove-cortana-in-windows-10/

Yup, that's the one I uninstalled it with, lol. Sadly, I'm on an OEM version of Windows 10 so there's no setup disc. I don't think that's the issue anymore though. The link I found explains why it is like this even after running Factory Reset. My wifi didn't want to connect when I was setting my pc up so I had to set it up through a local account. Apparently Cortana can't install without setting the pc up via a Microsoft account. I'll se how things turn out. Personally I've lost interest. My pc works fine its just that icon and it's really not all that big of a deal anymore. (OCD took a smack down this time, lol)

I'll try your method if I decide I even want Cortana back, lol.

[Nimbi]

Yup, that's the one I uninstalled it with, lol. Sadly, I'm on an OEM version of Windows 10 so there's no setup disc. I don't think that's the issue anymore though. The link I found explains why it is like this even after running Factory Reset. My wifi didn't want to connect when I was setting my pc up so I had to set it up through a local account. Apparently Cortana can't install without setting the pc up via a Microsoft account. I'll se how things turn out. Personally I've lost interest. My pc works fine its just that icon and it's really not all that big of a deal anymore. (OCD took a smack down this time, lol)

I'll try your method if I decide I even want Cortana back, lol.


Hmmm.. now that I read that page again I noticed sumat, I never extracted the WIMTweak program when I ran that script. I wonder if Cortana's files may simply be hiden and not gone... How would I go at checking for them?

[Shemhamforash]

Hmmm.. now that I read that page again I noticed sumat, I never extracted the WIMTweak program when I ran that script. I wonder if Cortana's files may simply be hiden and not gone... How would I go at checking for them?

I'd recommend Everything to search for files that could be hard to find. They're most likely gone though. In regards to OEM


Thanks for the quick reply…The problem is My Acer 2 in 1 tablet Pc doesn’t come with windows 10 installation disk, The OS is preinstalled,


Sure it is possible!
All you need is the official ISO image provided by Microsoft.
Download it, mount and you will get install.wim in the SOURCES\ folder.
Use this link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

[Nimbi]

ok this is what I have in the .iso


72113



I looked through the folders in it and didn't se a program files folder in the .iso anywhere. maybe I downloaded the .iso wrong? was I suppose to do it based on my computer or just have the media creation tool create a new one all together?

[Nimbi]

I'd recommend Everything to search for files that could be hard to find. They're most likely gone though. In regards to OEM

install.wim doesn't show up for me. all that's there is install.esd, which was already there tbh.

[Shemhamforash]

Do you have install.wim in your sources folder from the .ISO?

[Nimbi]

Do you have install.wim in your sources folder from the .ISO?

nope =/

[Shemhamforash]

I'm going to test it when I have time later today.

[Shemhamforash]

OK, first of all I can assure you that install.wim is in the Sources folder of the iso if it is an official download. The problem is that there isn't a folder called Cortana in the WindowsApp folder in the intall.wim Program Files. I tried extracting all of the folders in the Program Files of install.wim to WindowsApps on the disk drive and then ran the PowerShell command in admin mode. Some errors came up and it appears it didn't work correctly. My hunch is that MS has altered the contents of install.wim. For now this method doesn't work, so I suggest you follow Mr GRiM's advice if you want the native start menu to function properly.