One of the very best features of Windows 10 is the search function that will take you anywhere you need to go and find about any file. But Daniel is having a hard time locating it: “How am I supposed to type something in the search box when I can’t find the search box!?!. Everything useful is BURIED in that new Windows 10 startup page. Dump the damn meaningless boxes with misleading labels, and bring back clearly labeled icons that actually take to to the site, page, or subject you are trying to find.”
You shouldn’t have to look too hard for the search in Windows 10. It’s there all the time, right next to the Start menu on the far left of the taskbar. Here’s what it looks like. Just click in the box and start typing to search for programs, files, and settings.
If you have Cortana enabled, it will look like this.
Again, just start typing in the box or click the mic and say what you’d like to find. If you don’t see a search box, there’s an issue with your Windows installation. It’s possible that your user account is corrupt. Try creating a new one and logging on with that. If that doesn’t help, you’ll probably want to think about refreshing your Windows 10 installation.
~ Cynthia
It’s also possible that someone turned OFF the Cortana/Search box – rightclick on the taskbar, and click on Search, and see what your options are. If there is a checkmark in front of “Hidden”, then, well, select something else.
If the search box next to the START button at bottom left is missing, right-click in an empty space of the taskbar, navigate to “Search”, then over to “Show Search Box” and check/tick it. The search window should then show.
As Dirgster says, it is possible that the search has been deactivated but that is not a problem as with W10 it is simply possible, just like W8, to simply press the WinKey (same as clicking on Start) and start typing. Nothing could be simpler. No need to think there is a corrupt installation which is well down the list of fixes for the issue the questioner has.
One of the first things I did in order to save Taskbar real estate was to remove Cortana which I don’t use and the search box as well as removing DT icons from the screen and instead use the DT as toolbar on the Taskbar.
Great and useful tip, Murray! I had actually chosen the option “Search icon” instead of “Show search box” but find your suggestion even better since it declutters the taskbar.