How do I turn on Windows search index?

What os do you have?
Use your favorite search engines and search for "turn on search indexing"

 Properties of a drive should have a check in the index this resource.

Start->Run appwiz.cpl [Enter]
click windows components in the border
check the Windows Search
OK your way out and have your windows disk handy.

Start->Run services.msc [Enter]
scroll down to Windows Search
right-click->Properties
Set to start automatically, then click Start.
OK your way out.

I am running Windows 7 Professional X64.

"Start->Run appwiz.cpl [Enter]
click windows components in the border
check the Windows Search
OK your way out and have your windows disk handy."

There is no Windows Search box to check.

"Start->Run services.msc [Enter]
scroll down to Windows Search
right-click->Properties
Set to start automatically, then click Start.
OK your way out."

Windows Search refuses to start.

I think I must have some corrupted Windows files.   I tried to run System Restore but it failed.   How can I repair the Windows installation without losing all my programs and files?   I have the original installation disc.

Go through the help and support and type in index, there you should have links to rebuid the indexing database and other tasks that might help.

check indexing options in control panel.

I am unable to start the service.   Please see the attached screenshot.

Could you go through the control panel and open the indexing options?
It might not be configured to index, so the service exits.

I did that, but there is no location for the index.   I tried to rebuild the index, but nothing happened.   Search service is not running.   I tried to restart it, but it failed to start.

Click the Select New button in Indexing Options->Advanced and browse to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft to set the location.

In order to select New, the service has to be running.   I cannot get it to start.   I tried to replace the files ESENT.dll and SearchIndexer.exe in the Windows system32 folder, but I do not have permission, even as an Administrator.   The permission appears to be only for Trusted Installer.   When I copy these files from a working computer running the same OS to replace them permission is denied.

Run sfc /scannow.
Remove the indexing service using the appwiz.cpl turn on/off windows components.
reboot
Add the service back and see if that corrects the issue.

I cannot turn the Windows feature on.   It does not appear.   Please see the screenshot attached.

There seems to be more than just Windows Search missing - all I'm running on this particular laptop is 7 Home Premium and here are the components it shows...

Yes, it certainly appears there are more missing.   What can I do about this, short of completely re-installing the OS (Windows 7 Professional X64) with loss of all my program?

Here are the steps to Repair W7:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

coral47:

I see from this that an OEM version cannot be used for repair.   Unfortunately, that is the version I have.   Is there any way around this?

Thank you.   That answers the question fully.

Did you intend to give my last reply all the points?
i.e. There were other experts that contributed to this solution, too.
If you wanted to split the points but clicked the wrong button, you can use the Request Attention link to ask that it be re-opened for a do-over..