Windows 10: Searches Folder

Under pc>user there is a folder called "searches." There are two sub folders under searchers called 'everywhere' an 'indexed locations.' There is over 128,000 items in everywhere. Is it safe to delete either of this sub folders contents?

:)

 

Searches Folder ? C: Users (owner) Searches ..

Bob

The "everywhere" folder is a remnant of a legacy OS (probably vista or win 7) and it contains the results of the searches not the actual files themselves. They contain pointers to the actual files which is why you can click on them and open the actual file.
BTW they are "virtual" files/folders so do not take up much space.

Have you tried deleting them in safe mode? (win key +"R">msconfig>boot tab>safe mode>reboot)

Have you tried taking ownership of them then deleting them

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/take-ownership-windows-8

http://windows.mercenie.com/windows-8/how-to-take-ownership-permission-of-a-file-or-folder-in-windows-8/

If all else fails you could boot from the win 10 ISO and using the command prompt navigate to them and delete them

 

Searches Folder ? C: Users (owner) Searches ..

I have seen several references to this folder and I have tried various suggestions on how to manage this monster with no luck. In the
Everywhere subfolder I have 427,000 entries and in the Indexed Locations there are 2,800. In the
Everywhere folder I can click on the ones that are marked as a VLC media file and open movies I have saved on my physical D drive. These files in the C drive
Everywhere folder are the same as the movies in my D drive. I also see web searches from months ago, deleted emails etc. I have run CCLeaner, windows disk cleaner and cleared history on all my search engines and so on. How do I delete old emails and
searches from this folder (clicking delete does not work)? How can I manage to get 427,000 entries down to what I think would be a normal level, no I don't know what a "normal" level should be but I know its not 427,000.

 

I'm really surprised that there are no techs or even knowledgeable users that has some kind of response to this question. I'm I in the wrong forum?

 

Hey RichardC,
From what I've read, I would NOT delete those folders.
1. Could slow down your searches
2. Could mess up indexing
3. They take up very little space on the HDD

 

Thanks Eagle51. Will heed your advise.

 

Hey RichardC,
I did find out one thing .... DO NOT delete anything inside the Everywhere Folder ... as they point to the actual file .. which will get deleted *Sad

So I stand by my original statement .... Leave them alone *Smile