Learn how to bypass Windows 7’s search index.
If you’re searching for something that might have not been indexed yet, you can bypass Windows Search’s Index to try and find what you’re looking for.
Note: Turning off Windows Search’s Index doesn’t disable Windows Search. It only bypasses using the index. Bypassing the index will slow down searching significantly.
If you’re trying to completely uninstall the Windows Search engine, see my guide on uninstalling the Windows search engine.
Turn Off Windows Search’s Index
- Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
- Open Folder Options in the Control Panel.
Note: If Folder Options isn’t available, change View by to Large icons at the top right of the Control Panel.
- Select the Search tab in the Folder Options window.
- Check off Don’t use the index when searching the file system and then click OK.
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Explore other guides about: Guides • Productivity • Indexing • Search.
Related Guides:
- Turn On Windows Search’s Index
- Set Windows Search to Index a File Type’s Properties Only
- Set Windows Search to Index a File Type’s Properties and Contents
- Set Windows Search to Not Include System Directories When Searching Non-indexed Locations
- Set Windows Search to Search Using File Names and Contents in Indexed Locations Only
The title is misleading.
What I want to know is, how can I turn off the indexer entirely? Can I prevent the process being loaded on startup, for example?
Sorry about the misleading title.
If you want to completely get rid of the Windows Search engine see:
http://maximumpcguides.com/windows-7/uninstall-windows-search/
Yes, start -> run -> services.msc
Look for Windows Search and set it to disabled
Ah excellent! In Vista, all I got was “Indexing is a GOOD THING. You cannot turn it off.”
Thank you.