How to Add or Remove Locations for Search Index in Windows 10
By default, Windows will use the index when searching to give you faster search results. The search index only includes your selected locations. These locations can be filtered for what file types (extensions), file properties, and file contents you want indexed.
The index uses the Windows Search service and runs as the Searchindexer.exe process in the background. The index will automatically rebuild and update for changes made to the included locations since the last index rebuild to increase search result accuracy. By default, the indexing speed is reduced due to user activity. If the computer is running idle, then the indexing speed will go back to full speed to finish indexing faster.
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove locations to be included in the search index in Windows 10.
If you select removable media (ex: USB flash drive) to be included in the index, it will only be included while the removable media is connected. If you disconnect the removable media, it will automatically be included in the index the next time it is reconnected.
The index will not include search results from any drive or partition with the A and B drive letter, even if you add their location to the index. This is because the A and B drive letters are reserved for floppy drives. Since a floppy drive is considered to be a removable device, it will not be indexed. Even if this is a hard drive you assigned with the A or B drive letter, it will still be treated the same.
Here's How:
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Indexing Options icon, and close the Control Panel.
2 Click/tap on the Modify button. (see screenshot below)
You can see a list of your currently added locations under Included Locations.
These are the default locations in the screenshot below.
3 Check (add) or uncheck (remove) the locations you want to be indexed, and click/tap on OK when finished. (see screenshots below)
Unchecking subfolders will add them to excluded folders for the search indexer.
If you are signed in as an administrator, then you could also click/tap on the Show all locations button to see all available locations.
4 If the index doesn't automatically start rebuilding, then you should manually rebuild the index to update it. (see screenshots below)
5 You can now close Indexing Options if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Add or Remove Excluded Folders for Search Indexer in Windows 10
- How to Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
- How to Change Search Options in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Modifying Indexed Locations in Windows
- How to Enable or Disable Advanced Indexing Options in Windows
- How to Enable or Disable Search Indexing in Windows
- How to Create an Indexing Options Shortcut in Windows 10
- How to Reset and Rebuild Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Indexer Backoff in Windows
- How to Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Change Storage Location of Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Indexing Contents and Properties of Files on a Drive in Windows
- How to Create a Search Shortcut in Windows 10
- Disable Adding Locations on Removable Drives to Index and Libraries in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Indexing when on Battery Power in Windows
- How to Turn On or Off Enhanced Mode for Search Indexer in Windows 10
- How to Turn On or Off Search Indexer Respect Device Power Mode Settings in Windows 10
- How to Use Indexer Diagnostics App for Windows Search Issues in Windows 10
Add or Remove Search Index Locations in Windows 10
-
New #1
In my indexed locations, I see about 14 folders called DestopBackground. I have no idea why these are being indexed and I don't see anyway to exclude them from indexing. Do I need these to be in the indexing location and if not how do I remove them?
Thanks.
-
New #2
Hello Gator, :)
These are for the folders that store the desktop backgrounds for your themes in the Themes folders like below.
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\Beauty of\DesktopBackground
You should be able to click on the "Show all locations" button at the bottom, select a "DesktopBackground" folder in the bottom section, and then be able to uncheck it in the top section.
-
New #3
Thanks, Brink. When I do that, nothing shows up in the top pane. I've dug around in the file tree in the top pane but couldn't find the directory in the Indexing app where these things are located.
-
-
New #5
The second pic shows what I see when I click on any of the DesktopBackground folders. I get nothing like what your pictures look like. Nothing else happens. If it's not affecting anything, I am happy to leave it. But all those folders just didn't look right.
.
-
New #6
You might see if rebuilding the index may help since they don't show you a path in the top section when selected in the bottom.
-
New #7
i guess i dont know anything
i cant change the search options because when in open the control panel im not seeing any icon to change the search settings
-
New #8
When you open the Control Panel, make sure it's in "Icons" view. The link in step 1 can show you how to if needed. You should then see the "Indexing Options" icon available.
-
-
New #9
same problem here
solution is to enable hidden files in file explorer first
than you will be able to select or unselect folder
Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives in Windows 10 Customization Tutorials
Last edited by Brink; 01 Jan 2018 at 10:15. Reason: added tutorial link for more info
Add or Remove Search Index Locations in Windows 10
How to Add or Remove Locations for Search Index in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: Performance & Maintenance
13 Jan 2020
Quote
Tutorial Categories
Related Discussions
