How do I turn off search indexing?

How to Turn Off Search Indexing in Windows

Search indexing in Windows helps speed up file searches by creating a catalog of your files and their contents. But if you're concerned about performance or privacy, you might want to disable it—especially for certain folders or file types.

Thankfully, Windows gives you control over what gets indexed. Rather than turning off search entirely, you can fine-tune which locations or formats are included. This way, you maintain fast searches where you need them while excluding sensitive or unnecessary data.

Head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Searching Windows. From there, scroll down to Advanced indexing options. This opens a panel where you can manage the indexed locations, rebuild the index, or pause indexing temporarily.

You can also exclude specific folders by clicking "Modify" under indexing options and unchecking directories you don’t want scanned—like external drives or confidential work folders. Need to exclude entire file types? That’s possible too, though it requires diving into the Indexing Options via the classic Control Panel for more granular control.

Keep in mind: disabling indexing may slow down searches, especially on large drives. But for many users, the trade-off in system resources or privacy is worth it. If you notice Windows Search using too much CPU in Task Manager, tweaking these settings can bring noticeable relief.

It’s also smart to rebuild the index occasionally if you make major changes, ensuring search results stay accurate. Just return to the advanced options and choose “Rebuild” when needed.

Ultimately, managing search indexing lets you tailor Windows to your needs—balancing speed, performance, and control without turning off useful features entirely.