Prevent Windows Search from Indexing a File Type

Exclude a File Type from Windows 7’s Search Index

1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
2. Open Indexing Options in the Control Panel.

   

   Note: If Indexing Options is not available, change View by to Large icons at the top right of the Control Panel.

3. Click the Advanced button in the Indexing Options window.

   

4. Select the File Types tab in the Advanced Options window.

   

5. Search for the file type’s extension (.xyz for example) and uncheck it.

   

6. Click OK to save the changes.
7. Click OK to re-build the index so that the search engine can exclude the file types you excluded.

   

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Related Guides:

Set Windows Search to Index a File Type’s Properties Only
Set Windows Search to Index a File Type’s Properties and Contents
Choose Which File Types to Index
Stop Indexing from Indexing Encrypted Files
Add a New Extension to Be Indexed