"Search" area greyed out in Windows 10

[robertorod]

@Aura
I am having the same problem the other person had and was solved with Windows Repair All-in-One by your suggestion.
Cortana does not work and the search box is greyed out so I cannot type inside. I've done all the other things
that have been suggested and finally I used the same tool you recommended but unfortunately not with the same luck.
Apparently, even being in Safe Mode, the tool could not access certain files. See the Screencast below:
2015-12-25_1944 - RobertoLito's library
I was wondering if the tool failed to correct the problem because it could not work on those files.
What is your suggestion?
Thanks

Alright, here's what we'll try next.

Windows Repair All-In-One
NOTE: Before following to step below, please disable your Antivirus software or any other real-time security software that you have enabled.

• Boot in Safe Mode with Networking;
• Download the portable version of Windows Repair All-In-One;
• Move the file (archive) on your Desktop, and extract it there;
• Go in the tweaking.com_windows_repair_aio folder, then Tweaking.com - Windows Repair folder, right-click on Repair_Windows.exe and select Run as Administrator;
• From there, click on the Next button until you are presented with an Open Repairs button and click on it;
• Let the Registry back up complete, and move on to the check-list window;
• Click on the Unselect All button at the bottom, then check the following items:
  • Reset Service Permissions;
  • Restore Important Windows Services;
  • Set Windows Services To Default Startup;
• Once done, click on the Start Repairs button and let the scan execute;
• If you are being prompted with a Security Warning, allow it to go through;
• Once the repair is complete, it'll ask you to restart your computer, please do it;

 

[Aura]

Hi robertorod :)

Do you still need assistance with that issue?

 

[robertorod]

Thanks for answering. Yes, the problem is not resolved. Cortana and the search box continue greyed out. I tried your solution with the other member
but did not work for me. The tweaking windows utility shows a failure in opening files, even when I am in Safe Mode.
So, if you have another suggestion, I'll welcome it.

Hi robertorod :)

Do you still need assistance with that issue?

 

[Aura]

Alright, follow the instructions below please.

System File Checker (SFC)
Follow the instructions below to run a SFC scan on your system and to provide the CBS log in your next reply;

• On Windows Vista & 7, click on the Windows Start Menu, then enter cmd in the search box, right-click on the cmd icon and select
  
  Run as Administrator
• On Windows 8, drag your cursor in the bottom-left corner, and right-click on the metro menu preview, then select Command Prompt (Admin);
• On Windows 8.1, right click on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner and select Command Prompt (Admin);
• Enter the command below and press on Enter;
  

  sfc /scannow

  Note: There's a space between "sfc" and "/scannow";
• Once the scan is complete, enter the command below and press on Enter
  

  copy %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log "%userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt"

• A file called cbs.txt will have appeared on your Desktop. Upload the file on Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive and post the download URL for it here;

Note: Please note that the CBS.log is volatile, which means that if you don't upload it after the SFC scan is completed, it won't have the information from the scan anymore. So archive it and upload it as soon as you can.

 

[robertorod]

Here is the cbs file you requested. I see several errors in that log. Don't know what they refer to though.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ymtsnwqclil7sk2/cbs.txt?dl=0
Let me know what you make of it Thank you

 

[Aura]

There was only one error with opencl.dll (a known issue) and it has been repaired by SFC :) So nothing to worry about here. Let's see DISM before moving on.

DISM - Fixing Component Store Corruption
Follow the instructions below to run a DISM operation on your system.

• On Windows 8, drag your cursor in the bottom-left corner, and right-click on the metro menu preview, then select Command Prompt (Admin);
• On Windows 8.1, right click on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner and select Command Prompt (Admin);
• Enter the command below and press on Enter;
  

  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Let the scan run until the end (100%). Depending on your system, it can take some time;
• Copy the C:\Windows\Logs\DISM folder and C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log file on your Desktop, then right-click on it, go to Send to... and select Compressed .zip archive;
• Upload the file on Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive and post the download URL for it here;

Note: Please note that the CBS.log is volatile, which means that if you don't upload it after the DISM scan is completed, it won't contains the information from the scan anymore. So archive it and upload it as soon as you can.

 

[robertorod]

Here is the last requested:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sjixrduxjvunzgv/Dism&CBS.zip?dl=0

 

[Aura]

Alright, DISM returned clean logs. You said that Windows Repair AIO failed to access some files, right? What about running it first and use only the Reset File Permissions option, then run it again using the same options as the ones I recommended in the other thread?

 

[robertorod]

Do I have to enter Safe Mode to run it? It opens in normal Windows but don't know if it will have the same effect?
Which are the options in the other thread?

 

[Aura]

Yes, please run it in Safe Mode with Networking. And the options are:

Reset Service Permissions;
Restore Important Windows Services;
Set Windows Services To Default Startup;

You'll use these when running Windows Repair AIO a second time (the first time, you'll only select Reset File Permissions).

 

[robertorod]

I will need to continue tomorrow. Too late for me here in Texas. :) I appreciate all your support. Let's hope we succeed.