About a month ago, Microsoft issued the Windows 10/11 V1903 update KB4512941, a patch that solved several Windows 10/11 issues that included the following:
- A bug that prevented the Windows Sandbox from starting with the error, “ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND (0x80070002)”
- An issue that made it impossible for some Trusted Platform Module devices from being used for Next Generation Credentials
- An issue that leads to excessive memory utilization by the Windows Defender
In all, the number of issues that the patch solved was about 20, and it all but addressed most of the complaints about Windows 10/11. But while the update KB4512941 was a much-needed solution to the common Windows problems, it also brought new ones.
Windows 10/11 Update KB4512941 Bugs
After the update was issued, several users reported experiencing some difficulties doing standard Windows operations. The following is an example of a user from a Windows forum relaying his frustrations:
“I have a group policy in place to disable the Windows search from searching the web. Everything was working fine until today when update KB4512941 was installed. The search menu is totally nonfunctional, when I disabled the gpo and restarted the system, everything was back to normal. Is anyone else having issues with the KB4512941 update? I have since uninstalled it.
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This is how the search menu looks now, no search results at all.”
Crippled Search in Windows 10/11 after the Update KB4512941
In general, the KB4512941 update affects the Windows Desktop Search and results in a high CPU usage of SearchUI.exe. Sometimes, the usage can be as much as 20%.
Screen Turning Red or Orange
Another issue with the KB4512941 update is that when creating screenshots using a snipping tool, the resulting images get an unnatural orange tint. This was, in fact, the issue that was most reported on because not so many people use Windows search or are keen on observing which apps are using too much CPU.
Other users report seeing their screens slowly turning red after logging into their desktops. Only the mouse pointer remains with the correct color.
How to Solve the KB4512941 Windows 10/11 Update Issues
Microsoft has since released an update that resolves the crippled search in Windows 10/11 after the update KB4512941. All you have to do is to install the update KB4515384. This particular update will be offered automatically for all Windows 10/11 users.
Microsoft recommends that before installing the update, you first install the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your particular operating system. SSU improves the reliability of the update process in solving potential issues while installing the LCU and when it comes to applying Microsoft security fixes.
If the update is not already installed on your computer, you can check if the update is available by taking the following steps:
How to Check for Windows 10/11 Updates
Open the Windows Start menu and click Settings > Update & Security settings. While here, press the Check for updates button. If there are any updates available, they will be offered to you. On the other hand, if the Windows Update says that your computer is up to date, it means that all the updates are installed. To get more details on the latest Windows updates, click on the Details link. You will see more details about the updates that are available.
It is advisable that you always keep your system updated because updates like the KB4512941 help solve performance limiting issues on your computer while working to make your OS more secure.
To make it easier for your computer to successfully install updates, you should constantly seek to clean it with a reliable PC repair tool, such as Outbyte PC Repair. The repair tool will scan your computer for malware, notify you of outdated software, optimize your computer’s memory allocation, and troubleshoot any networking issues.
Another Workaround
Perhaps you have no way of getting the latest solution from Microsoft that resolves the KB4512941 Windows 10/11 update issues. If that is the case, be rest assured that there are other ways of addressing some of the issues, especially the high CPU usage resulting from searchUI.exe.
Some Windows experts have established that the high CPU load caused by searchUI.exe stems from the following address:
c:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\cache\
They point out that some of the scripts in this string loop are causing Cortana to be stuck in initialization mode.
They recommend taking the following steps before installing the KB4512941 update.
- Find and backup the following cache folder: c:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\cache. Use a local directory for the backup.
- Install the update KB4512941 and the SSU.
- After successfully installing the update, go ahead, and open the Command Prompt. Choose Run as Administrator and type the following command: cd c:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy\cache
xcopy /o /x /e /h /k D:\backup\cache\*
Renaming the cache folder this way prevents Cortana from using too much of your CPU.
Having detailed some solutions to the “unable to search after Windows 10/11 update KB4512941” issue, we still recommend that you keep an eye out for more Microsoft updates. They are your best line of defense against any disruptions that the issue may cause.