Remove Windows\Windows.edb?

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  1. Posts : 175
    Windows 10 Version 6.2 (Build 9200) Home, 64bit
       #1

    Remove Windows\Windows.edb?


    Can I remove this file (11,3 GB): C:\Users\All Users\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

    The indexing is switched off for all drives.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hello, a web search for
    windows.edb
    offers this (and many more such)
    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...45a621d?auth=1

    albeit for Win 8. That should give enough of a clue.

    Interestingly I do have indexing enabled- for the default very small no. of items- but no Windows.edb. Mine was a clean install of '10.

    Indexing is necessary so, for example, you can search Settings.

    I'd be interested if you can do that..
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 175
    Windows 10 Version 6.2 (Build 9200) Home, 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hello dalchina,

    Thank you very much!

    I have done this:
    1) Search for "Indexing Options" (under "Settings"). Open it.
    2) Search "services" (or run "services.msc") and find "Windows Search". Stop the service.
    3) Delete the Windows.edb file

    I have removed all of the items to be indexed:


    But obviously the Windows Search always starts again automatically:


    Could / should I completely switch it off? I never use Win Explorer or Windows to search. I assume, I have never searched for settings or so.

    Many thank again.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Ah.. having removed all the default items indexed, I think you will find searching settings will not work.

    Also Cortana search will find no files and folders - not that that's sthg that's well implemented and best ignored.

    More importantly, I would guess your Cortana search bar won't even find start menu items - a great convenience - if you use Win 10's start menu.

    Searching Settings is really useful and helps you find things that can be awkward to find or navigate to.

    Since there's nothing to search, why bother hacking services? No overhead.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 175
    Windows 10 Version 6.2 (Build 9200) Home, 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Many thanks.

    Ah.. having removed all the default items indexed, I think you will find searching settings will not work.
    So, the search after pressing the "Windows" key "Start" in that menu seems to work like before.

    I have never used Cortana.

    More importantly, I would guess your Cortana search bar won't even find start menu items - a great convenience - if you use Win 10's start menu.
    I use it very seldom, but it still seems to work.

    Since there's nothing to search, why bother hacking services? No overhead.
    Yes, but I had hoped it might increase the speed of the system, respectively the indexing would not cause slowness.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    If it's not doing anything, search has no effect. The default items indexed are indexed with no noticeable effect on system performance. Indexing is performed when the system is idle and stops when complete or the system is in use.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 175
    Windows 10 Version 6.2 (Build 9200) Home, 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Alright, may be after some time I will just use the default search indexing settings again. Is there a an easy way to just activate the default settings?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #8

    Bingus said:
    Can I remove this file (11,3 GB): C:\Users\All Users\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb

    The indexing is switched off for all drives.
    Based on what i saw here. 11.3GB is way too big for Windows Search Index database. This is either your Windows.edb is corrupted or the file is being carried over from an earlier upgrade.
    It is not true as said above, search will work except it will be slower to perform the search on the fly without indexing.
    IMHO, Windows Search is a bad feature and it is the first thing I disable after installing Windows. I use third party search engine instead, light weight, does not cause resource hog and can effect Windows performance. Everything Search Engine is a good free search engine.
    Having said that. Just happened to help another fellow member on similar problem:
    Solved Windows Search Service Terminated - Windows 10 Forums
    to rebuild the search index database. Just temporarily disable the Windows Search Service then you can delete Windows.edb, re-enable it and let Windows rebuild the index. The result is his PC run a lot smoother.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 175
    Windows 10 Version 6.2 (Build 9200) Home, 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Based on what i saw here. 11.3GB is way to big for Windows Search Index database. This is either your Windows.edb is corrupted or the file is being carried over from an earlier upgrade.
    No, it is the original Win 10, not upgraded, supplied with the Notebook.

    Thank you for the link, yes, "Everything" I use myself, very good program. And for the link to that thread. Alright, at the moment I have removed all of the items to be indexed of that dialog as I cannot find an option to turn off that service completely.

    Many thanks.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 706
    W10
       #10

    I did a check on Windows.edb. Size: 72 Mb; date modified: now with starting up PC. No worries therefore.
    But I donot use indexing and the search possibilities of windows. Use a 3rd party programme.
      My Computer


 

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