What does “Indexing Options” mean and how to configure them so they don’t consume CPU or disk space?

If your PC's searches are stuttering or you find your disk working overtime, the culprit is probably the Windows indexer. In this guide, I explain, in detail and without beating around the bush, how to do it. configure, optimize, and troubleshoot Indexing Options to make Windows Search run smoothly.

We'll cover everything from the factors that most affect index performance to service status messages and how to react to each. You'll also see how Choose where your computer searches, exclude folders, change how file types are handled and when it's a good idea to let the indexer run in the background. And yes, we include tips for Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as what to do if you want to "reboot" or rebuild the index.

What is Windows Search Indexer and why it may be slow?

In a “normal” team, the service usually manages less than 30.000 items. In more demanding environments, it can climb to around 300.000 without breaking a sweat; starting at around 400.000 entries, it's common to start noticing slowdowns. The practical ceiling is around 1.000.000 elements: if you exceed this, CPU spikes, RAM and disk space consumption or even mistakes.

The index database file is usually called Windows.edb or Windows.db and lives by default in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows. This file grows with the number of items and its average size: many small files or a few very large ones can inflate the index and trigger fragmentation.

Before you touch anything, it's a good idea to check if the system has finished indexing. If everything is OK, you'll see a status of Full indexing in the Windows Search settings. If not, I'll tell you in a moment how to interpret the other statuses and what to do in each case.

Factors that most influence performance

There are two key indicators you can quickly check to see if the index is growing too much: number of indexed elements and actual size on disk from the database. Adjusting locations and content will reduce both and thus the impact on your computer, or you can use alternative search engines such as Everything for specific searches.

Number of indexed elements

To check: In Windows 11, go to Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Search. In Windows 10, go to Settings → Search → Windows Search. In both cases, you'll see the total count of indexed elements.

If the volume exceeds ~400.000 entries, you already have a clear clue. From there, it's a good idea to trim down unusable locations (temporary folders, old downloads, app caches) or limit file types that you don't need to search for content.

Database size

Default index location: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows. Right-click Windows.edb (or Windows.db) → Properties and view the property. size on diskThis data reflects the physical space occupied by the index after the file system has been allocated.

If the file is huge, the indexer's internal compression loses effectiveness and everything starts to run more slowly. In these circumstances, it's a good idea exclude locations, defragment the index, or rebuild if there is no other.

Practical settings to optimize indexing

There are several tactics you can apply, independently of each other, to achieve a balance between comprehensive results and resource consumption. Start with the least intrusive approach: let the service finish its work And if that's not enough, narrow down the scope or modify the behavior by file type. You can also consider a Spotlight-style search engine like this alternative for quick searches without touching the index.

give it timeAfter major changes (moving libraries, adding a disk, connecting an Outlook PST), leave the computer on and, if possible, plugged into the power outlet for several hours. In heavily loaded scenarios, Up to 24 hours It may be reasonable for the index to stabilize.

Control indexing from Settings (Windows 11)

Open Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Search and adjust these two key points to reduce the impact without losing functionality: Energy y search scope.

Respect power settings when indexing. Activate this switch if you want the indexer to charge batteries only when the device is connected to power. If you deactivate it, the system will also index on battery power and the autonomy may be affected.

Search my files. You have two modes: Classic (searches Documents, Pictures, Music and Desktop, and you can customize locations) and Enhanced (indexes virtually all All the team). Enhanced mode is very powerful, but it consumes more CPU, disk I/O and battery.

On that same screen, you'll see the "Exclude folders from advanced search" list. Some app data paths are already excluded by default. You can add more with Add an excluded folder if there are noisy directories that you don't want in your results.

Select or exclude specific locations (Windows 10 and 11)

For finer adjustment, open the Indexing options Advanced. From Windows Search, go to Advanced Indexer Settings and click Modify. Check and uncheck locations to your liking. focus only on what is relevant.

In Windows 10, you can also go to Settings → Search → Windows Search and use "Add an excluded folder" to remove paths from the index in one fell swoop. Less noise = smallest index and more agile searches.

Change how specific file types are treated

In Indexing Options → Advanced Options → File Types, decide whether a type is indexed by We take care of your rental property in Valencia. or by properties and content. Removing content analysis (e.g., of binary files or giant logs) instantly reduces entries and index size.

You can also add new extensions or remove those that don't contribute. On computers with a lot of PDFs, PSTs, or other large formats, this setting makes a difference. a huge difference in CPU, disk and Windows.edb size.

Defragment the index database

If the index has grown and shrunk many times, there may be a lot of wasted space within the EDB. You can reclaim that space and improve performance by running a offline defragmentation from the database file.

Open a command console with administrator permission and throws, in this order:

sc config wsearch start= disabled
net stop wsearch
EsentUtl.exe /d %AllUsersProfile%\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\Windows.edb
sc config wsearch start= delayed-auto
net start wsearch

This stops the service, compacts the database, and restarts it with a delayed automatic restart. If you manage very large Outlook PST files, keep in mind that the file Windows.edb may grow larger than expected during initial indexing.

Reduce the weight of Outlook

If you use Exchange accounts in Outlook, setting the “sync window” to a shorter interval than the default (one year) helps a lot: less offline content is synced, and therefore, is indexed less. It is a relief for disk I/O and index size.

Indexing Options: indexer states and what to do in each case

The Windows Search page and Indexing Options display the service's status. Interpreting these messages allows you to act wisely and not touch anything unnecessarily. Here's a quick guide recommended messages and responses.

• Full indexing: Everything is in order, the index is up to date. If files are missing, check that the correct folders are selected in Edit (Indexing Options) and that they are not on the excluded list.
• Indexing in progress. The results may not be complete: the service has detected changes and is adding items. Let it run for a few hours with the computer on (preferably plugged in) to complete the task.
• Indexing speed is reduced by user activity: The computer is in use and the indexer is self-regulating. You can continue working; if you need to finish sooner, leave the PC in standby mode connected to the power supply.
• Indexing is waiting for the computer to become inactive: There is a high CPU or disk load. Identify what's taking up resources (Task Manager) and, if necessary, pause or close heavy processes.
• Indexing is paused to save battery life: The battery level is low. Connect to the power supply and, when the battery level rises, it will automatically resume.
• Group Policy pauses battery-powered indexing: Company policy. Connect to your computer or talk to IT if you want to change the policy.
• Indexing is paused: It has been paused since setup. It will resume automatically after 15 minutes, or restart the “Windows Search” service (wsearch) from Services or Task Manager to speed it up.
• Indexing is not running: The service has not started or is disabled. After a Windows update, it may take about 5 minutes to start. Recommended settings: Status: Running and Startup Type: Automatic (Delayed Start). Check services.msc and see if an antivirus or optimizer has disabled it.
• Insufficient memory to continue: The system is running low on RAM. Locate consuming apps in Task Manager and close them if possible; consider upgrading memory if this is a recurring problem.
• Insufficient disk space: The index stops before filling the drive. Leave more than 1 GB free, delete temporary files, and consider reducing the index's scope. Remember that the index typically covers around 10% of the indexed content.
• Waiting for indexing status…: The service did not respond in a timely manner. Wait ~1 minute and check that searchindexer.exe is running in Task Manager.
• Indexing is closing: Service shutdown, due to system shutdown or user action. Make sure no one has stopped it manually and check the status in services.msc.
• Indexing is paused by an external application: Game mode, updater, or another app has requested a pause. Disable Game Mode and restart the Windows Search service. The pause can be repeated if the app requests it again.
• The status message is missing and the page is grayed out.: Possible registry or database key corruption. Delete the contents of C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data and refresh Windows. This forces a full index rebuild.

Rebuild index, reset options and service

A common question in Windows 10 is whether there is a "reset to defaults" option for Indexing Options. Technically, rebuilding the index does not change your selected locations nor exclusions; what it does is delete and recreate the database to correct inconsistencies or corruption.

If you want to return to a “typical” selection, go to Indexing Options → Modify and leave only the standard profile paths checked (Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop) or change to mode classical from Windows Search. For a more aggressive reset after corruption, delete the contents of C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data while the service is stopped, and it will rebuild from scratch.

Always check the service status in services.msc. “Windows Search” should be Running and the Startup Type should be set to Automatic (delayed start)If it doesn't start, check antivirus software or "optimizers" that sometimes disable it (and see what to do if the search bar doesn't work).

To speed up recovery after a rebuild, be sure to leave your PC plugged in and with the "Respect power settings when indexing" option enabled if you're using a laptop. This way, the process won't pause due to low battery and advances in one go.

With all these keys, you can keep Windows Search under control: less noise, a smaller index, well-interpreted statuses, and a healthy service. In the end, it's about balancing reach and performance so your results come out quickly without slowing down your PC. lose your breath.