[GIS] Search window not opening in ArcMap

arcgis-10.5arcgis-desktoparcmapsearch window

I can no longer search for tools, etc using the Search window in ArcMap i.e. Windows | Search doesn't work and nor does ctrl + f.

I thought updating my student license would do the trick but after doing so it's still the same. I have also tried to fix it by deleting Normal.mxt but that didn't work either.

I read somewhere that ArcMap can sometimes misbehave because of problems related to the pc user account.

I may accidentally have shut down my computer the wrong way last week and before I was properly logged off (by pulling the plug too early).

What could be the cause of this and how may I fix it?

My version of ArcMap is 10.5.0.6491.

Best Answer

I was having the same problem with Desktop ArcMap 10.6 on Windows 7. I tried the following:

  1. Remove normal.mxt from the c:\drive.

  2. Renamed the ESRI folder in the c:\drive (essentially the same as step 1, I know.)

  3. Deleted DefaultDomain_Path_folder from the c:\drive.

Option 3 worked for me!

I did not try to create a new user so can not comment on the efficacity of that option.

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