Hi,
when I go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
there are no entries, or subfolders, aside from a preferences folder that contains five cryptic entries such as this :- {0077B49E-E474-CE11-8C5E-00AA004254E2} , all with values of 1.
When I try to update to windows search 4.0 I receive an error 'the update does not apply to your system' - this is using update filename Windows6.0-KB940157-x86.msu
My system is Vista Home premium SP1.
There is no control panel icon for any index options.
When I open 'computer', then type in a search (to force the appearance of the search tools menu option across the top), then click on search tools, then click on indexing options - nothing happens. (IE no indexing options appear)
When I search for indexing options at start, no icons appear.
So, I removed windows search 4 update, reinstalled. Still no resolution, I still can't get to any indexing options.
UPDATE - problem resolved
As per this website, I ran the srchadmin.dll from an administrator cmd prompt. Once this sucessfully ran, I can now access the indexing options. Hope this helps someone.
Indexing Options missing from Control Panel in Windows Vista « Tom Doyle
Also, here is another way to get into indexing options - that would have probably resolved my issue as well.
Indexing Options is missing from the Control Panel - iTechtalk
As a side note, making changes to the indexing options (such as index location) is now creating entries in the empty preferences registry key mentioned at the start of this note. Cheers, Xenek