Well, it finally happened—Windows 10 got hit with a bug so random it’s kind of impressive. After the July 2025 security update (KB5062554), the beloved emoji picker still opens… but good luck actually finding what you want in it. The search function is borked, and now everyone’s stuck scrolling through the entire emoji zoo to find that one perfectly passive-aggressive smiley. 🙃
What’s Actually Broken?
If you hit Windows + . (period) like usual, the emoji panel pops up as expected. But try typing “heart” or “fire” or anything, and Windows 10 just shrugs and says something like “we couldn’t find this one.”
That’s because the search bar in the emoji picker is currently busted, confirmed by Microsoft themselves on the Windows release health dashboard.
“Following the installation of the July Windows security update (KB5062554), the Windows Emoji Panel search feature does not find any results in Windows 10, version 22H2.”
– Microsoft, basically saying “our bad.”
Can You Fix It Right Now?
Short answer: Not really.
Unless you want to uninstall the July update, which Reddit users report will temporarily fix the issue. But doing that also removes important security patches, so yeah… that’s a “do at your own risk” kind of move.
Microsoft says they’re working on a fix that’ll come in a future update. And by “future,” we assume they mean “soon-ish,” because Windows 10’s lifespan is now officially ticking down.
A Little Perspective: Windows 10 Is Basically on Hospice Care
In case you missed the memo, Windows 10 hits end-of-life in October 2025. That means we’ve got just over a year of official support left (unless you opt into Microsoft’s newly-extended Extended Security Updates plan, which now has a free tier).
So yeah—seeing weird bugs like this now is both hilarious and head-scratching. Why is Microsoft still changing anything this late in the game? Why is emoji search even getting touched at all? Is it sabotage?! (Cue conspiracy theory X-Files theme.)
Honestly, emoji search breaking feels like the kind of bizarre late-game plot twist you expect in the final season of a long-running TV show. It’s not game-breaking, but it’s just enough to make everyone collectively sigh.
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Reactions from the Frontlines
“I never used emoji search until it broke. Now it’s all I want.” – Everyone, apparently.
Reddit, forums, and social media have been weirdly active over this one. You’d think breaking File Explorer or the taskbar would cause more noise, but no. It’s the emoji picker that’s hit a nerve.
And let’s be real: If you’ve been using Windows 10 for a decade, you’ve probably gotten used to little QoL features like this. So when they disappear, it feels personal.
Emojis Down, Spirits Medium
Whether you’re a power user or just someone who enjoys sprinkling “🔥” into emails ironically, this emoji bug is just another oddball moment in Windows 10’s twilight era.
Will Microsoft fix it? Probably.
Will more weird bugs show up between now and October 2025? Absolutely.
So for now, maybe brush up on your emoji scroll skills—or, you know, finally give in and maybe consider the Windows 11 upgrade (if that was their secret plan all along 👀).
Stay strong, emoji warriors. Your search bar will rise again. 💪😊🕵️♂️
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