In some cases, users having trouble finding programs or files through Windows Search may try to fix the issue by running the Search and Indexing troubleshooter. However, this may lead to another problem: an “Incorrect permissions on Windows Search directories” error message appears in the troubleshooter. If you’re having this problem with your Windows 11 computer, follow this quick guide to fix it.
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Fix: Incorrect Permissions on Windows Search directories in Windows 11
Method 1: Run SFC and DISM Scans
Corrupted system files can cause the ‘Incorrect permission on Windows Search directories’ error. You can fix this issue by running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) scans.
1. Press the Windows key, type “Command Prompt“, and select “Run as administrator” on the right pane.
2. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command:
sfc /scannow
3. After the scan is complete, reboot your PC, and check if the problem is resolved.
4. If the System File Checker doesn’t fix the problem, run the DISM tool.
5. Open the Command Prompt again, type the below commands, and press Enter after each one:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Method 2: Disable and Enable the Windows Search Feature
If you’re still encountering the same problem, you can use the DISM command line tool to disable and re-enable the Windows Search feature.
1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Copy the following command and paste it into the Command Prompt window and press Enter:
dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"SearchEngine-Client-Package"
3. Once the Windows Search feature is disabled, type Y to restart your device.
4. After the restart, open Command Prompt with administrative privileges again and run the following command:
dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:"SearchEngine-Client-Package"
5. Then, type Y to restart your computer.
Method 3: Take ownership of the Data folder
The ‘Incorrect permissions on Windows Search’ error usually occurs if the user doesn’t have the necessary permission to access the folder used during the search query (Data). You can fix the error by taking ownership of the folder.
1. First, navigate to the following location in the File Explorer:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search
2. Now, right-click the Data folder and select “Properties“.
3. In the Data Properties dialog, switch to the “Security” tab and click “Advanced“.
4. In the next dialog, click “Change” next to the Owner option.
5. Next, click “Advanced“.
6. Click “Find Now” to view all the user groups. Then, select the user below and click “OK“.
7. Then, click “OK“.
8. Tick the box next to “Replace Owner on subcontainers and objects“. Then, click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
Now, that you have taken ownership of the folder, you need to grant permission to the user.
1. In the Data Properties dialog box, click “Advanced” again.
2. Click “Continue” if applicable.
3. Then, click the “Add” button.
4. Click “Select a principal” in the Permission Entry dialog.
5. Next, click the “Advanced” button in the Select User or Group box.
6. Now, click the “Find Now” button again, select the user, and click “OK“.
7. Click “OK” again.
8. Under Basic permissions, tick “Full control“, and click “OK“.
9. Once you get back to the Advanced Security dialog, click on the “Enable inheritance” button.
10. After that, check the “Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object” option.
11. Finally, click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
Method 4: Create a New User Account
Corrupted user profiles can also cause “Incorrect permissions on Windows Search” errors. Some users have even fixed it by creating a new user account and deleting the old one.
Create a new user account and see if it fixes the problem. Before deleting your old user account, be sure to copy all your important files to your new account.
That’s it.
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