How to Add or Remove File Types 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 file types to be included in the search index and how they should be indexed in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to add or remove file types to be included in the index.
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 Advanced button. (see screenshot below)
3 Do step 4 (add), step 5 (add new), and/or step 6 (remove), step 7 (finished) below for what you want to do.
A) Select an extension for the file type you want included in the index, and check its box. (see screenshot below)
B) Select (dot) Index Properties Only or Index Properties and File Contents for how you want this file should be indexed.
Index Properties Only - The metadata for that file will be included in the index. For example, file name, date modified, author, etc... It will basically be what you see when you right click on the file, and click on Properties and the Details tab.
Index Properties and File Contents - The above will be included as well as the contents of the file itself if available. For example, all text in a Notepad .txt file. Not all file types contain text though.
C) When finished, go to step 3 above.
A) Under Add new extension to list, type the extension (ex: "bak") of the file type you want to add, click/tap on Add, and go to step 4B above. (see screenshots below)
A) Uncheck the box of an extension for the file type you no longer want to be included in the index. (see screenshot below)
B) When finished, go to step 3 above.
7 When finished, click/tap on OK to apply.
9 Rebuild the index to update it.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
- How to Change Search Options in Windows 10
- 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 Locations for Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove Excluded Folders for Search Indexer 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 Turn On or Off Indexing Contents and Properties of Files on a Drive in Windows
- How to Change Storage Location of Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Create a Search Shortcut 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