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Windows Server 2022 does not allow the use of the search bar in File Explorer if the explorer.exe process is not running

Alejandro González Ponce 0 Reputation points
2025-07-16T07:13:33.1666667+00:00

I have a problem with my Windows Server 2022 server. We didn't have this problem in previous versions (W2012 or W2019). I have configured RDP connections from local users to start an environment where the Windows desktop doesn't appear. The problem arises when a user tries to use the Windows Explorer quick search bar and it appears blocked. I've read in several forums that if the Explorer.exe process isn't running during the session, it's not possible to use the search bar. We can't give users access to the desktop, but without the Explorer.exe process, we lose functionality. Do you know of any way to solve this problem without giving access to the desktop? I've tried running the Explorer.exe process in the background without satisfactory results.

Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | Remote desktop clients
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  1. Smith Pham 2,510 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-07-30T08:22:30.39+00:00

    Dear Team,

    You cannot use the File Explorer search bar on Windows Server 2022 if the explorer.exe process is not running. The search bar in File Explorer is tightly integrated with explorer.exe. If you try to launch File Explorer (explorer.exe /separate or similar) without having the full desktop shell running, the search functionality will not work—this is by design in Windows Server 2022 and later.

    There is no supported way to enable the File Explorer search bar without running the full explorer.exe desktop shell. Running explorer.exe as a process in the background, or launching just a folder window, will not initialize the search UI dependencies. Previous workarounds for older Windows versions do not work on Server 2022.

    Your options are:

    1. Allow the user to run a full explorer shell (i.e., allow the desktop).
    2. Switch to a third-party file manager that has its own search (not using Windows Explorer's search bar).
    3. Use PowerShell or command-line scripts to perform searches (not user-friendly for non-technical users).

    Best Regards,

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