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Fix: Microsoft Windows Search Indexer High CPU Usage

The Windows Search Indexer is not a critical process

6 min. read

Updated onAugust 2, 2024

updated onAugust 2, 2024

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Key notes

The Windows Search service is one that indexes files for the Windows search tool. That service is the SearchIndexer.exe orWindows Search Indexerprocess listed on Task Manager’s Processes tab.

However, some users have found that the Search Indexer process can hog a lot of system resources with high CPU and RAM usage.

Why is Microsoft Windows Search indexer running?

The Windows Search indexer can be a bliss just as much as it can be a nuisance and here’s why. Its role is to handle file indexing and thus speed up the search process on your PC.

When it’s running, you find whatever it is that you’re looking for faster. But it can also slow down your drive and affect your overall performance since it’s a relatively resource-intense process, to begin with.

Now,turning the Windows 10 indexing offin order to cut down on the Searchindexer.exe high CPU makes sense if you have a fast drive such as SSD as it can handle the search and retrieval of results on its own.

As always, the right configuration implies balancing different components, but if the Windows desktop search support high CPU becomes unbearable, you can rest assured that disabling the service -at least temporarily – won’t affect your system in any way.

You can alwaysdownload Indexer Diagnosticsto fix Windows Search issues, including high resource consumption instances. If not, feel free to check out our handy solutions to reduce the Windows search’s high CPU utilization.

? Microsoft Windows Search indexer high CPU on Windows 11

Before we move on with the solutions, let’s take a moment to see if and how the Windows desktop search support high CPU issue also applies to Windows 11. In short, yes, it does.

The good news is the solutions listed below will work just as well on the latest version of your OS. In addition, you can also perform these steps:

In some cases, theWindows 11 Search Indexing can be turned offcompletely, so might want to enable it again.

How do I fix Windows Search Indexer high CPU?

1. Use a third-party repair software

If you’re having issues with Search Indexer’s high CPU usage, you should be able to fix it usingspecialized repair softwarethat can fix a wide array of PC issues automatically.

The software will scan your PC for any problems and give you a list of issues. You can fix all these issues with just a couple of clicks without any additional user input.

These tools can fix a wide array of Windows errors, missing DLL files, BSOD errors, freezes, crashes, and, most importantly high CPU usage, so be sure to check them out.

2. Restart the Windows Search Service

You can start by pressing theWin+Rhotkey and enteringservices.mscinRun‘s text box.
PressRun‘sOKbutton to open theServiceswindow.
Scroll down toWindows Search.
Double-clickWindows Searchto open its configuration settings shown directly below.
SelectDisabledfrom theStartup typemenu.
Press theStopbutton.
Press theApplyandOKbuttons.
Restart your PC.
Thereafter, open the Windows Search service window again.
SelectAutomatic (Delayed Start)from theStartup typedrop-down menu.
Click theStartoption, and then press theApplyandOKbuttons to restart Windows Search.

Restarting the Windows Search service might reduce the Search Indexer’s CPU usage. You can do this using the built-in Run dialog, which allows you to access Windows Search Properties.

After restarting the services, the problem with searchindexer.exe high CPU usage should be resolved.

3. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

This can help fix other issues likesearch results aren’t quite ready yet.

4. Reduce Indexed Locations / Data

Reducing the amount of data the Search Indexer is indexing is one of the best ways to fix Windows Desktop Search support high CPU usage.

Users also complained about thedelayed write failed errorbut the highlighted guide will help you fix it.

5. Rebuild the Index

Users reported that rebuilding the index fixed the searchindexer.exe high CPU usage, so we encourage you to try that.

6. Disable Windows Search Indexer

7. Run System File Checker

Should I disable indexing in Windows 10?

Digital indexation allows you to locate content faster by using specific filters such as keywords or creation dates. Now, if you don’t really search for files that often or if you use an SSD that can quickly retrieve files, it does not make much sense to keep indexing on.

The same goes for Microsoft Windows Search Indexer high CPU cases as you can easilyget stuck at 100% disk usage.

This might be a more drastic resolution, but it will help with the Searchindexer.exe high CPU consumption rates. Don’t worry, this does not mean you won’t be able to use Windows Search at all.

Plus, if you need a replacement forWindowsSearch after switching it off, there are plenty ofalternative third-party search utilities.

For example, you can install the freeware Agent Ransack, Copernic Desktop Search Lite, or UltraSearch.Agent Ransackis a highly-rated search software that has Lite and Pro versions.

So that’s how you can cut theWindowsSearch’s CPU and RAM usage down to size. That will free up system resources for other software and might also speed up theWindowsOS a little.

Fix: Microsoft Windows Search Indexer High CPU Usage#

Why is Microsoft Windows Search indexer running?#

? Microsoft Windows Search indexer high CPU on Windows 11#

How do I fix Windows Search Indexer high CPU?#

1. Use a third-party repair software#

2. Restart the Windows Search Service#

3. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter#

4. Reduce Indexed Locations / Data#

5. Rebuild the Index#

6. Disable Windows Search Indexer#

7. Run System File Checker#

Should I disable indexing in Windows 10?#