Windows 10: Change Search Index Location in Windows 10

How to: Change Search Index Location in Windows 10

How to Change Storage Location of 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.

The search index data files are stored in the %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Search\Data folder location by default. You can select to store the index to any internal location you like. You will not be able to select to use removable media, network, or external locations as the index location.

This tutorial will show you how to change the storage location of the search index data files in Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to change the storage location of the search index.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Change Search Index Location in Indexing Options
• Option Two: To Change Search Index Location in Registry Editor

EXAMPLE: Default index location








OPTION ONE [/i] To Change Search Index Location in Indexing Options
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. Click/tap on the Select new button under Index Location. (see screenshot below)



4. Browse to and select the new location (ex: "D") you want for the index data files, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)


Note The new location is where the Search/Data folders will be stored at.





5. Click/tap on OK to apply. (see screenshot below)



6. Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below step 2)





OPTION TWO [/i] To Change Search Index Location in Registry Editor
1. Press the Win+R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

2. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

3. Navigate to the location of the key below in Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search




4. In the right pane of the Windows Search key, double click/tap on the DataDirectory string value to modify it. (see screenshot above)

5. Type the full path of the location you want to store the index at, add \Search\Data\ to the end of this path, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)



6. Close Registry Editor.

7. Stop and start the Windows Search service to apply. (see screenshot below)





That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• 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 Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off Indexing Contents and Properties of Files on a Drive in Windows
• 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 Quick Search Not Showing Indexed Locations

Hi,

Since you have already added it in Indexing options, we suggest you to run Indexing troubleshooter to check for possible caused of the issue. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Press Windows key.
• Type Troubleshooting.
• On the left pane, click View all.
• Click Search and Indexing.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Let us know how it goes.

 

Windows 10 Index locations not all showing up in search

Hello,

There might be some settings missing or corrupted.

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

Method 1:

I suggest you to remove the D drive from the indexing and run the indexing troubleshooter.

Follow these steps to run the troubleshooter:

• 
  Press “Windows key + X” to click on “Control Panel”.
  
• 
  Click on “Troubleshooting” and click on “View all”.
  
• 
  Click on “Search and Indexing” to run the troubleshooter.
  
  Once this is done, restart the computer and check if this helps.
  

Method 2:

Re –build the indexing by adding the D drive and verify the result.

Hope the information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

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 Mail app and Index Search

Hi Bahrudin,

Thank you for being part of Microsoft Community.

If you're having problems locating specific files, folders, or other items on your computer, try using the Search and Indexing troubleshooter to fix the problem. It makes sure that the Windows Search service is running, and checks to see whether you have
the correct permissions to search all the directories on your computer.

Run the Search and Indexing Troubleshooter.

Windows 10 has a built-in troubleshooter to check and fix issues with search and indexing of files and folders. I would suggest you to run this troubleshooter to check the status of the issue. Refer these steps:

• 
  Press Windows key + X, select
  Control panel.
  
• 
  Change the view by option on the top right to
  Large icons.
  
• 
  Click on troubleshooting and click on the
  view all option on the left panel.
  
• 
  Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
  
• 
  Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
  

Please revert if you face any issues with Windows in future.