In this article, we will see how to disable the Search Indexing feature in Windows 10. It can be useful, if you have a fast SSD drive. Search results will always be up to date, because the OS won't use the search index database. Here is how it can be done.
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As you may already know, search results in Windows are instant because they are powered by the Windows Search indexer. It is not new to Windows 10, but Windows 10 uses the same indexer-powered search like its predecessors although it uses a different algorithm and a different database. It runs as a service that indexes file names, contents and properties of file system items and stores them in a special database. There is a designated list of indexed locations in Windows, plus Libraries which are always indexed. So, instead of performing a real-time search through files on the file system, the search performs a query to the internal database, which allows showing results immediately.
If this index becomes corrupted, Search doesn't work properly. In our previous article, we reviewed how to reset the search index in case of corruption. See the article:
How to Reset Search in Windows 10
You can create a special shortcut to open Indexing Options with one click in Windows 10.
If you disable Search Indexing as described below, this will disable the prompt to turn search indexing on for faster results. Turning off this feature will free up system resources which the OS is using to build and maintain the index.
To disable Search Indexing, you need to disable a service named "WSearch". Before proceeding, ensure that your user account has administrative privileges.
To disable Search Indexing in Windows 10, do the following.
- Press Win + X shortcut keys on the keyboard to open the Power user menu. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start menu. In the menu, select the item Computer Management.
- The Computer Management utility will be opened. On the left, expand the tree view to Services and Applications\Services.
- On the right, you will see the list of installed services. Find the service named "Windows Search".
- Double-click the Windows Search row to open the service properties dialog. If the service has the status "Running", click on the Stop button, and wait until its status shows as Stopped.
- Now, change the startup type from Automatic (Delayed Start) to Disabled using the drop down list.
- Click Apply and OK and you are done.
If you prefer the command prompt method described in the article How to Disable A Service in Windows 10, do the following.
Disable Search Indexing in Windows 10 using Command Prompt
- Open an elevated command prompt.
- Type the following commands:
sc stop "WSearch" sc config "WSearch" start= disabled
The first command will stop the service. The second command will disable it.
Note: It is very important to add a space after "=" and not before it.
That's it!
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Sergey!
Even after searching and trying to adopt all the procedures found in the WEB regarding indexing – “Indexing is not running”, including those posted here in Winaero, which I follow daily and thank you for it, even changes in the registry that return to Previous values after the implementation and reboot, also, I thought the upgrade to Fail Creator would resolve this issue, but the Windows Search service still does not start. Attempting to start it and I get the message: “Windows can not start the on local computer. Error 15 – The system can not find the drive specified.”
Cheers
Clade
Check you search database path here:
I had also tried to recreate. . .
As you can see in the image, checkboxes do not provide the option to select The Indexing Location – Current Location – Is Blank.
https://i.imgur.com/JpNRUIc.png
I see
Run regedit.exe
Go to the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search
Change the DataDirectory (REG_SZ/String) value to the following line:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Now, try to start the Windows Search service.
Did not work. Same error.
https://i.imgur.com/HtlaCp4.png
Hmm. Do you have the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\ folder?
Yep!
https://i.imgur.com/4o2XFUp.png
That is pure madness then.
Can you check Windows Event Log for errors? Maybe under the System or Application journal it has some error message with MORE details?
Both in applications and in system there are logs, but my knowledge has stopped here. Lol.
Refer to this article.
Don’t apply any filter. Instead, look if you have any error related to Windows Search there.
Sorry! I was not clear. There are errors related to Windows Search in both applications and system. That’s why I wrote that to my knowledge. . .
Can you post their text here? Or you can email me. hb860 on live.ru
how to get better at you? In applications there is a log that error and 11 “information”. In Software, 2 error logs. What is the shipping method. From what I’ve seen, in XLM it’s clearer to anyone who has more advanced knowledge.
Those errors should come with a brief description.
Should be enough to get what is the cause.
1. Error System:
1.1 Event 7034 –
Event xmlns=”http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event”>
–
7034
0
2
0
0
0x8080000000000000
5375
System
Clade
–
Windows Search
20
57005300650061007200630068000000
1.2 Event 7023:
–
–
7023
0
2
0
0
0x8080000000000000
5374
System
Clade
–
Windows Search
%%15
57005300650061007200630068000000
2. Aplication:
2.1 Event 1006
–
–
1006
0
2
1
0
0x80000000000000
19838
Application
Clade
–
8
0x8007000f
Falha ao encontrar Aplicativo de Coleta: Windows
There are 10 “information” logs in Application and that was not included here.
The error message has no point to the folder that Search is trying to access.
What is on the General tab in the text box?
See the following screenshot: https://i.imgur.com/w0P2mCy.png
Looks like the copy did not stay the way I did. If necessary, I can send a copy of your XML to your e-mail.
It is written in Brazilian Portuguese. The first two images refer to the system and the last one to the application.:
1. https://i.imgur.com/rKsheYj.png
2. https://i.imgur.com/u3QhkmD.png
3. https://i.imgur.com/RMsMphn.png
Hey,
why should i disable WSearch?
Is it increasing privacy security? When yes how?