Windows 10: How to disable Advanced Search Indexing Options in Windows 10

Windows 10 lets you create and manage a Search Index to show search results quickly, irrespective of the keyword. However, if you want to prevent others from tweaking some of the Indexing Options, you can disable Advanced indexing options in Windows 10. No third-party app is required as you can block this option using Registry Editor and Local Group Policy Editor.

The Advanced Options in Indexing Options panel lets you manage several things, including these:

• Index encrypted files
• Treat similar words with diacritics as different words
• Delete and rebuild the index when you face a problem related to Windows Search
• Change index location
• Choose a particular file type to be included or excluded

If multiple people use your computer and you do not want others to tweak any of these aforementioned settings, you can prevent them by disabling this option.

Before following the REGEDIT method, it is recommended to create a System Restore point so that you can be on the safe side.

Disable Advanced Search Indexing Options using Registry


To disable Advanced indexing options using Registry, follow these steps:

1. Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit, press Enter button, and select the Yes option.
3. Go to Windows in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
4. Right-click on Windows > New > Key.
5. Name it Windows Search.
6. Right-click on Windows Search > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
7. Name it as PreventUsingAdvancedIndexingOptions.
8. Double-click on it to set the Value data as 1.
9. Click the OK button.

To learn more about these steps, keep reading.

At first, press Win+R to open the Run prompt > type regedit > press the Enter button and click on the Yes option to open Registry Editor on your PC.

Once it is visible on your screen, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Right-click on the Windows key and select New > Key.



Then, name it Windows Search. Following that, right-click on the Windows Search key, and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.



Name the REG_DOWRD value as PreventUsingAdvancedIndexingOptions, and double-click on it to set the Value data as 1.



Click the OK button to save the change. Now restart your computer to check the difference.

In case you want to enable the Advanced Options again, you need to open the same path in the Registry Editor > right-click on the PreventUsingAdvancedIndexingOptions REG_DWORD value > select the Delete option.

Confirm the change by clicking the Yes option and restart your computer.

Read: How to disable Cloud Content Search in Taskbar search box.

Turn off Advanced Search Indexing Options using Group Policy


To disable Advanced indexing options using Group Policy, follow these steps:

1. Press Win+R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter button.
3. Go to Search in Computer Configuration.
4. Double-click on the Prevent the display of advanced indexing options for Windows Search in the Control Panel setting.
5. Select the Enabled option.
6. Click the OK button.

Let’s check out the detailed version of these steps.

At first, you need to open the Local Group Policy Editor on your PC. For that, press Win+R, type gpedit.msc, and hit the Enter button to open the Group Policy on your computer. Once it is opened, navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search

Here you can find a setting called Prevent the display of advanced indexing options for Windows Search in the Control Panel. You need to double-click on this setting and select the Enabled option.



Click the OK button to save the change.

If you want to re-enable the Advanced Options in the Indexing Options dialog, you need to navigate the same path in the Local Group Policy Editor, open the same setting, and select the Not Configured option.

At last, you can click the OK button to save the change.

That’s all! If you have any doubt, feel free to comment down below.

Read next: How to prevent users from modifying Search Index Locations in Windows 10.


This article How to disable Advanced Search Indexing Options in Windows 10 first appeared on TheWindowsClub.com.

read more...

 

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 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 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.