Windows 10: Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 10

How to: Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 10

How to Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 10


Information By default, Windows will use the file properties, and file contents you want indexed.

The index uses the Windows Search service and runs as the Searchindexer.exe process in the background. The index will automatically rebuild and update for changes made to the included locations since the last index rebuild to increase search result accuracy. By default, the indexing speed is reduced due to user activity. If the computer is running idle, then the indexing speed will go back to full speed to finish indexing faster.

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove file types to be included in the search index and how they should be indexed in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to add or remove file types to be included in the index.



Here's How:

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Indexing Options icon, and close the Control Panel.

2. Click/tap on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)




3. Do step 4 (add), step 5 (add new), and/or step 6 (remove), step 7 (finished) below for what you want to do.


4. To Add File Type Extension to Search Index
A) Select an extension for the file type you want included in the index, and check its box. (see screenshot below)

B) Select (dot) Index Properties Only or Index Properties and File Contents for how you want this file should be indexed.


Note Index Properties Only - The metadata for that file will be included in the index. For example, file name, date modified, author, etc... It will basically be what you see when you right click on the file, and click on Properties and the Details tab.

Index Properties and File Contents - The above will be included as well as the contents of the file itself if available. For example, all text in a Notepad .txt file. Not all file types contain text though.



C) When finished, go to step 3 above.





5. To Add New File Type Extension to List
A) Under Add new extension to list, type the extension (ex: "bak") of the file type you want to add, click/tap on Add, and go to step 4B above. (see screenshots below)





6. To Remove File Type Extension from Search Index
A) Uncheck the box of an extension for the file type you no longer want to be included in the index. (see screenshot below)

B) When finished, go to step 3 above.





7. When finished, click/tap on OK to apply.

8. Rebuild the index to update it.



That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
• How to Change Search Options in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Search Indexing in Windows
• How to Create an Indexing Options Shortcut in Windows 10
• How to Reset and Rebuild Search Index in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Indexer Backoff in Windows
• How to Add or Remove Locations for Search Index in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Excluded Folders for Search Indexer in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Modifying Indexed Locations in Windows
• How to Enable or Disable Advanced Indexing Options in Windows
• How to Turn On or Off Indexing Contents and Properties of Files on a Drive in Windows
• How to Change Storage Location of Search Index in Windows 10
• How to Create a Search Shortcut in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Indexing when on Battery Power in Windows
• How to Turn On or Off Enhanced Mode for Search Indexer in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off Search Indexer Respect Device Power Mode Settings in Windows 10

:)

 

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.

 

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 index not running

Hello,



Thank you for posting you query in Microsoft Community. Your interest on Windows 10 is appreciated.

I can understand the inconvenience that you are facing with the issue. We are glad to help you.



I would suggest you to try the following methods:

Method 1: Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter to diagnose the exact issue.

Follow the steps mentioned below.

• a. Type “Troubleshooting” without quotes in the Search box and hit enter.
• b. Select “View all” option from the left panel.
• c. Select “Search and Indexing”.
• d. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Method 2:

I suggest you to perform system file checker. Follow the steps below which will help you:

• Press Windows key + X, click Command Prompt (Admin).
• In the Command Prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
  
  sfc /scannow

The sfc /scannow command will scan all protected system files, and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.

You can follow the steps in the following article:

System file check (SFC) Scan and Repair System Files & DISM to fix things SFC cannot



Hope this resolves your issue. Feel free to get back to us for further queries. We will be happy to assist you.



Thank you.

 

Windows 10 Windows Search / Indexing Stops Completing

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern and will assist you to resolve this issue.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it helps

• Press Windows key + R.
• Type Services.msc In the search box.
• Select Windows Search
• Restart the services and set the service as Automatic

If the issue persist try performing Rebuilding Index again.

To rebuild the index follow the steps below:

• Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
• Open Indexing Options in the Control Panel.
  
• Select the Advanced button in the Indexing Options window.
• Select Rebuild in the Troubleshooting section of the Advanced Options window.
• Select OK when it asks if you’re sure you want to re-build the search index.

Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help

 

Windows 10 won't search file contents

Which version of Windows 10 are you're using?

Someone gave me these steps to follow. Maybe they'll work for you.

1. Check if the Windows search service is enabled.

- Press Windows key and ‘R’ Key together and then type services.msc.

- Look for Windows search service and right click on it and start the service if the service is disabled.

2. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

Open Settings and navigate to Update and Security >> Troubleshoot and run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

3. Rebuild Indexing Options.

• Type Indexing Options in search box and open it.
  
• Click on Advanced tab.
  
• Select the Rebuild button
  

Note- Once the Rebuild Indexing option is complete, make sure you index all the files again.

Steps to index files-

• Type Indexing Options in the search box and open it.
  
• Select Modify button and select Offline Files and Windows (C
  
• Click on OK.