What to do if you can't run programs from the Windows 10 search bar

When we want to run any of the system programs in Windows 10, we can do it in several ways. The operating system gives us several options in this regard. So there is always one that adapts to what we are looking for in each case. One of the ways we can resort is to search for said program, using the search bar in the system. Although there are times when this fails.

Find the name of a program or a command in the search bar is common in Windows 10. But it is a function that has not always given the best performance on the system. Which in some cases can cause discomfort to users. Below we focus on these cases in which it is not possible to open the program.

The process is usually the same in all cases. We go to the search bar in Windows 10 and enter the name of the program that we want to open at that moment. Then, we get the results that match that search. So all we have to do is click on said program, so that it will open. But in many cases it gives an error. What can we do right now?

10 Windows Logo
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Executable file

A first aspect to check, which may be the origin of this failure, is to check that the program we are trying to open, the file in question, is really an executable file. It may happen that it is not. Therefore, no matter how much we click, said program will not open in this way. There are times when it is the source of failure in this sense. So it is worth checking, to at least rule out that this is the origin.

Damaged app

The same is true in this regard. We may try to open using the Windows 10 search bar an app that is corrupted. There are several problems with a program on the computer, but it may be the case that the file is corrupt or there is a problem with the specific program. Therefore, it is impossible at that time to open it on the computer.

It should be tried open said application using another method in Windows 10. Since this is something that will give us clues about the origin of the failure. If we can open it in another way, then it is a problem with the search bar. But if it is not possible to open it that way either, then it is a problem with the program in question. We must then check if it is a failure due to an update or if it is something that is solved by restarting the computer. In many cases, this application may even have to be removed and reinstalled on the computer.

Background apps

Windows 10
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There are users who install third-party applications, with the aim of modifying the Windows 10 interface. This is something that does not always work well, as they can cause this failure with the search bar. What you can do is prevent these apps from running in the background. It is in many cases the origin of this failure. So the solution is quite simple.

We therefore have to enter the computer configuration. Within it, we have to go to the Privacy section, of those that appear on the screen. So, we look at the options on the left side of the screen. The one that interests us is called Background applications. When we enter, we see an option at the top that says Allow applications to run in the background. Here we can choose which applications that are in Windows 10 we allow to run in the background.

So those applications that have access to the interface, we can block or remove this permission. Thus, they should not cause any problems when using the search bar to open applications on the computer.

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