Windows 10: Windows 11 Begins Automatically Indexing Your Most-Used Folders for Search

Microsoft has begun rolling out a Windows 11 Search feature that can automatically add frequently used folders to the operating system's search index. Microsoft says "Windows now automatically indexes your most used folders," putting files from those locations into later search results.

The feature debuted with the August 27 KB5120998 preview update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, and is being delivered through a gradual rollout. Users can find the toggle under Settings, then Privacy & security, then Search.

Availability can vary between eligible devices due to the staged rollout.

Windows 11 Updates With Automatic Folder Indexing and How to Control It


The feature debuted with the August 27 KB5120998 preview update, which raised Windows 11 25H2 to build 26200.9278 and 24H2 to build 26100.9278, with the Search changes listed under Microsoft's gradual rollout. The changes were later included in the September 8 KB5124008 cumulative security update, which moved 25H2 to build 26200.9445 and 24H2 to build 26100.9445.

Because it is a gradual rollout, installing the update does not mean every PC receives the feature immediately.

Users who receive the automatic indexing option can manage it in Settings:

1. Open Settings, then Privacy & security, then Search.
2. Locate "Automatically find additional relevant locations."
3. Switch it on or off from that page.

Turning the option off does not disable Windows Search indexing. Existing indexed locations remain available, and users can continue managing search locations through Windows' regular indexing settings.

How Automatic Folder Indexing Fits Into Windows Search


Microsoft's Windows Search documentation lists two indexing modes. Classic indexes Documents, Pictures, Music, and the desktop by default, with extra folders added through Customize search locations and Modify.

Enhanced mode indexes the entire PC, including user folders and files, which Microsoft says provides more comprehensive results and may use additional system resources.

The new option changes how extra locations enter the index. A folder a user accesses frequently can become an indexed location without the user manually selecting it through the existing controls.

Microsoft has not published the criteria Windows uses to classify a folder as frequently used, and its documentation does not give an access threshold or number of folder openings that triggers automatic indexing.

The indexing addition arrived alongside other Search changes. Microsoft says "Search home has been simplified," and search results now identify their source as an app, setting, file, web result, or Microsoft Store suggestion.

The update also added a setting under Settings, then Privacy & security, then Search, for web and Microsoft Store suggestions, letting users choose whether those appear next to local results.

The automatic folder indexing is rolling out gradually to Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 devices, so PCs that do not yet show the setting may still be waiting for the rollout to reach them.

Users who prefer manual control can disable the option and manage locations through the existing indexing controls. Microsoft has not detailed a completion date for the rollout.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 11 Begins Automatically Indexing Your Most-Used Folders for Search appeared first on gHacks.

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Windows 10 indexing / search

Hi Erik,

System conflict is one of the possible reasons why the index built will not function properly. We suggest running the Search and Indexing troubleshooter by following these steps to resolve your issue:

• Open Control Panel.
• In the search box, type troubleshooting.
• Click on Troubleshooting.
• Click on View all.
• Select Search and Indexing and select the proper scenario that you are experiencing on indexing and click
  Next for the troubleshooting to begin.

Update us with the outcome so we can provide you further assistance.

 

Windows 10 search not indexing Outlook 2013, no search results

Hi,

Thank you for your interest in using Windows 10.

Let's diagnose the issue by referring to the following suggestion and check if that helps you.

First of all, I would suggest you to check if the
Windows Search Service is running in Automatic mode under the list of Windows services. You can follow the steps to check and start the
Windows Search again:

• Press Windows+R keys to open Run. Type “servces.msc” without quotes and hit
  Enter.
• From the list of services, locate the Windows Search Support Service
  and Windows Search Service.
• Right click on the Windows Search Service
  and then click on Properties.
• Check if the service is running. If not, start the service and change the
  Startup type to Automatic.
• Follow the same steps to start the Bluetooth service
  and change the startup type to Automatic.

You can also try the following suggestion.

Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter. Follow the steps mentioned below.

• Press “Windows key + W”.
• Type “Troubleshooting” without quotes in the Search box and hit enter.
• Select “View all” option from the left panel.
• Select “Search and Indexing”.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Hope this information helps you. Please do let us know if you need further assistance.

 

Search - Indexing not running

Hello,

One of the possible reasons why you're having issues when using search is because of a corrupted user profile. For us to assist you, we suggest that you create another account with administrator privileges and try to use the search feature again. Here's an
article that you can visit to see how to do it:
Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.

If the issue persists, we suggest that you perform the steps listed below to correct the settings of your Indexed folder:

• Press the Start button.
• Type %LocalAppData%.
• Select Packages.
• Click on windows.immersivecontrolpanel_cw5n1h2txyewy.
• Choose LocalState.
• Right-click the Indexed folder.
• Click Properties.
• Click Advanced.
• Click the checkbox beside Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties so that a check mark appears.
• Click OK.
• Click Apply.
• Click OK. A window with a progress bar will pop up as the folder is indexed.
• Click OK when the indexing progress is finished.

After doing the steps provided, kindly try to use the search feature again.

Kindly update us with the results and if you need further assistance, feel free to post back.