How to Turn On or Off Indexing Contents and Properties of Files on a Drive in Windows


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.

By default, Windows will index the contents and properties of files on any connected drives with a NTFS or ReFS file system.

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off to allow files on a drive to have contents and file properties indexed for all users in Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to turn on or off allowing files on a drive to have contents and file properties indexed.




Here's How:

1 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Right click or press and hold on a drive you want to turn on or off indexing its files contents and properties, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-1.jpg

3 In the General tab, check (on - default) or uncheck (off) the Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties box for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-2.png Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-off-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-2.png

4 Select (dot) Apply changes to drive <letter>, subfolders and files, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)

Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-3.png Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-off-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-3.png

5 Click/tap on Continue to approve. (see screenshot below)

Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-1.jpg

6 If prompted with an Error Applying Attributes, click/tap on Ignore All. (see screenshot below)

This error indicates that some files are currently in use, and cannot have the set content indexed attribute applied to them.

This usually happens on the Windows drive (C:).

Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-5.png

7 Windows will now start applying attributes to the files. (see screenshot below)

Allow File Contents and Properties to be Indexed on a Drive in Windows-allow_file_content_indexed_for_drive-6.png


That's it,
Shawn


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