windows/outlook search just stopped working in Vista

issue: Windows/Outlook search just stopped working in Windows Vista. As a result instant search in outlook won't return any results. 

 

this is a known issue with windows vista

 

resolution:

 

step 1: try rebuilding the search index. go to indexing optioins, advanced tab and click rebuild. if this doesn't work, try clicking on restore defaults

 

if stepy 1 doesn't work, go to step 2

 

step 2: go to services in control panel, look for windows search or windows searcher as the case maybe

 

double click on the service and stop it. restart the service

 

this will initiate indexing and should fix the isue