Win10 Explorer search has that slow green bar

prairie · 21 Jan 2017

I use the WindowsKey-E to bring up File Explorer (FE). I want to search for something in indexed locations. FE comes up with "This PC" in the "where to search" bar. That's fine... that's what I want. When I type something in, I get the slow green bar coming across. I don't know what it is searching .... all I want is an index search. By the way, the same thing happens on my Win10 laptop. Is there some way to get instantaneous results?
I can use the search at the lower left of the windows desktop. It is quick, but I get an abbreviated list. I have gone so far as to buy Lookeen search ... and it works pretty well. But doggone it, I ought to be able to get Windows to cough up its index results quickly and comprehensively. Thanks, Dave

smirk24 · 22 Jan 2017

Can post a picture of the issue?

Bree · 22 Jan 2017

@prairie, Welcome to TenForums!

There are two places where you can change File Explorer's search options, too many options turned on may be slowing the search and causing the slow progress of the green progress bar. The first is covered in this Tutorial.

File Explorer Options - Open in Windows 10

The second is the 'Advanced options' on the 'Search' ribbon, click in File Explorer's 'Search this PC' box to show this ribbon.

Win10 Explorer search has that slow green bar-fe-advanced-search.png

dalchina · 22 Jan 2017

How fast you get your results from Windows search depends on the scope of your search, and on how much of that scope is specified to be indexed (see Indexing Options in the Control Panel) and how much of that has actually been indexed when you search.

It also depends on whether what your searching has content indexing enabled (that includes text files and meta data- tags) and whether that's already been indexed or not.

If you open a particular folder with file explorer, then search, you will search within that folder.
a. If the folder has not been indexed, but is small, the green bar will progress relatively quickly.
b. If it has been indexed, fast.

I've not attempted comparisons for speed of non-indexed search if you use additional restrictive parameters e.g. size, date...
Advanced Query Syntax (Windows)

For REALLY quick results across ALL your disks/partitions as in 'find as you type', use one of these free tools:
Ultrasearch (maintained, optional further search for file content)
Locate 32 (older, good GUI options, optional further search for file content) - my preference
Everything (no optional further search for file content, need to use a beta to get further GUI options, adds a service) - best known and used by many here.

One big advantage is these support GUI options to specify your search, whereas doing the same in Windows search requires convoluted syntax. (See link).

prairie · 23 Jan 2017

Thanks for all the replies. I don't see anything in my settings that should be changed. So in looking at the alternative products suggested, I think "Everything" fits the bill. So thanks for the suggestions and help. Regards, Dave

Sapien 1 · 02 Jun 2022

I found a way to eliminate the green bar search time consumption and have your search pre-loaded, no wait.
Go to (Control Panel > Indexing Options > Modify)
When I checked the box next to Windows (C:) all my File Explorer search results finish immediately without a second wasted.
I also got more complete results, with double as many items.

I went back and unchecked the box and the search resumed with the long green bar.

dalchina · 02 Jun 2022

If any item below the point below the point in the file hierarchy at which you have explorer open when you start the search is not indexed you will see that green progress bar.

Indexing the whole of C: is not advised, as all system files are then indexed including the registry. Thus a lot more indexing activity occurs in the background, useless for people who don't wish to search for O/S files.

I have things set up so I can start e.g. a content search with file explorer open at C: but only my files are indexed, not Windows O/S files and I get 'instant' results.