When I type something in Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium in the search / run area on the start menu, no results show (I've tried very common things like notepad, calculator, cmd, etc.) If I click show more results I get "Windows cannot find 'search:query=notepad'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. I've removed the search feature, rebooted, reinstalled the search feature rebooted and still no luck. Sfc /scannow reports no issues found. I've scanned with Vipre, Superantispyware pro, malwarebytes, GMER, TDSS Killer, Sophos Anti-Rootkit, Spybot S&D, ect. Found some adware but that's about it, so I'm relatively sure it's not a virus / malware. Any help is appreciated.

Allen This could be caused by registry corruption, so check this registry key for correctness. I made a note of this solution from a short while ago just in case it happened to me. Open a Run window (Windows Logo key+R), type regedit, press Enter and in the left pane navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}. If the value of GroupBy is System.Null, change it to System.StartMenu.Group and restart the machine.

Thanks. I just checked that key, and it does have the correct value in it for GroupBy

Hi, Could you check the "Windows Search" service that the startup type is set to "Automaic(delayed start)"? Meanwhile, this article below may be help you. Windows cannot find 'search:query=cmd" http://bluescreensolutions.blogspot.com/2011/03/windows-cannot-find-searchquerycmd.htmlIvan-Liu TechNet Community Support

Ivan, good call, I think you are on to something: Windows Search isn't running but it set to automatic (delayed). When I try to start it, I get "Windows could not start the Windows Search on Local computer. For more information, review the System Event Log. If this is a non-Microsoft service, contact the service vendor, and refer to service specifi error code -2147467262." I tried the fix it in the link provided and it didn't seem to help.

So much for my technet subscription priority support! I'm formatting the HD.