How to disable indexing

Windows indexing helps the operating system find files, apps, emails, and settings more quickly. It works by creating a searchable database of selected locations, so Windows does not need to scan the entire drive every time a user performs a search. While indexing can improve search speed, it can also increase background activity. On older devices, low-resource systems, or computers with high disk usage, disabling or limiting indexing may help improve responsiveness.

What is Windows indexing?

Windows indexing is part of Windows Search. It scans selected files, folders, and system locations, then stores information in an index. This allows Windows to return search results faster when users look for documents, applications, or settings. Indexing can include:

• File names
• File contents
• Email data
• App information
• System settings
• Selected folders

The feature is useful, but not every system needs broad indexing enabled.

Why disable indexing?

Disabling or reducing indexing may help when a device is experiencing unnecessary background activity. Common reasons include:

• High disk usage
• Slow performance on older hardware
• Limited system resources
• Search indexing errors
• Devices used for limited tasks
• Large folders that do not need to be searchable

For many users, reducing indexed locations is better than disabling indexing entirely.

Method 1: Change indexed locations

The safest approach is to limit what Windows indexes.

Steps

1. Press: Windows + S
2. Search for: Indexing Options
3. Open the result.
4. Click Modify.
5. Uncheck folders that do not need to be indexed.
6. Click OK.

This reduces indexing activity while keeping Windows Search useful.

Method 2: Disable indexing on a drive

Windows allows indexing to be disabled for specific drives.

Steps

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select This PC.
3. Right-click the drive.
4. Select Properties.
5. On the General tab, uncheck: Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
6. Click Apply.
7. Choose whether to apply the change to the drive only or to all subfolders and files.

This can reduce search-related disk activity on selected drives.

Method 3: Disable the Windows Search service

To disable indexing more completely, stop the Windows Search service.

Steps

1. Press: Windows + R
2. Type: services.msc
3. Press Enter.
4. Locate Windows Search.
5. Double-click it.
6. Click Stop.
7. Set Startup type to: Disabled
8. Click Apply and OK.

This disables the service responsible for maintaining the search index.

What happens when indexing is disabled?

Disabling indexing does not delete files or remove Windows Search completely. However, it may cause:

• Slower file searches
• Less complete search results
• Reduced search performance in File Explorer
• Possible impact on Outlook or app-specific search

The trade-off is reduced background activity in exchange for slower searches.

Should indexing be disabled?

Indexing should not always be turned off. It may make sense on:

• Older devices with hard drives
• Systems with frequent high disk usage
• Shared devices with limited search needs
• Machines used for specific tasks only

It may be better to keep indexing enabled on:

• Modern SSD-based systems
• Devices used heavily for document search
• Systems running Outlook search
• Workstations with large file libraries

The best approach depends on how the device is used.

Rebuild the search index

If search results are inaccurate or incomplete, rebuilding the index may be better than disabling it.

Steps

1. Open Indexing Options.
2. Click Advanced.
3. Under Troubleshooting, select Rebuild.

Windows will delete and recreate the search index. This may take time and can temporarily increase system activity.

Best practices for managing indexing

To balance performance and usability:

• Index only important locations
• Exclude large archive folders
• Rebuild the index when search becomes unreliable
• Monitor disk usage before changing settings
• Keep Windows updated
• Avoid disabling search services on heavily used workstations

A targeted approach usually provides better results than turning indexing off completely.