The Windows Search Index is a list of files and folders that users search for. These include folders in the user directory and everything in your libraries. If you index a folder, it will be faster to find its contents. There are two ways to index a folder: add the folder to libraries, or add the folder directly to the index.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Libraries
Step 1. Understand how Windows Libraries work
Libraries store similar files and folders. Windows search engine automatically indexes all folders that are in the library. By default, these are the Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos folders. Additional folders can be added to an existing library, or a new indexed library can be created.
Step 2. Find the folder you want to add to the library
You can add any local or network folder to the library. Use Explorer to locate the desired folder on local or network drives.
Step 3. Right click on the folder
You can select several folders at once, and then right-click on them - this will index all the selected folders.
Step 4. Select "Add to Library"
A new menu with libraries will open.
Step 5. Select the library you want to add the folder to
You can select any of the existing libraries or create a new library.
- If you add a folder to a library, the folder location does not change. A library entry is a "pointer" to the actual location of a folder on disk.
- If the folder is being indexed for the first time, it will take some time.
Step 6. Don't index too many folders
The search index is used to quickly find the files you need. If you index an excessive number of folders, the search speed will drop dramatically. Therefore, only index the main files and folders.
Method 2 of 3: Using Indexing Options
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Press the ⊞ Win key or click on the Start menu.
Step 2. Enter "Indexing Options" and select "Indexing Options" from the search results
The Indexing Options window opens and displays the indexed folders.
Indexing options will not appear if Windows Search is disabled. Open the Start menu, type “enable”, click “Turn Windows features on or off,” and then check the box next to “Windows Search”
Step 3. Click "Change"
Now you can add or remove folders from the index.
Step 4. Find the folder you want to add
Local and network drives are displayed at the top of the window. Open them and find the folder you want.
Step 5. Check the box next to each required folder
All subfolders of the selected folder will also be added. If a subfolder is not needed, uncheck the box next to it.
- Continue checking the boxes to add more folders to the index.
- Don't add too many folders to the index. The search index is used to quickly find the files you need. If you index an excessive number of folders, the search speed will drop dramatically. Therefore, only index the main files and folders.
Step 6. Click "OK" to save the changes
The selected folders will be added to the index. This may take some time, especially if the folders contain a large number of files.
The Indexing Options window displays the progress of indexing the new folders
Method 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Know when to rebuild the index
If using Windows Search results in a system crash, or if the folders do not load properly, the index database is corrupted. During the rebuild process, the index will be dropped and re-created.
Step 2. Open the "Indexing Options" window
Click "Start" and enter "indexing options". Select Indexing Options from the search results.
Step 3. Click on "Advanced"
This will open additional options for the Windows search index.
To do this, you need to have administrative rights
Step 4. Click Rebuild
The index will be deleted and re-created based on the folders you specified. This process can take a while, especially if you are indexing a large number of files.