
I often find myself complaining about how slow Windows Search can be when displaying results. It frequently seems to prioritize web searches over local commands or files stored directly on the device. However, you can significantly improve Windows Search performance by fine-tuning your Indexing Settings—a powerful feature already built into Windows.
What is Indexing?
At its core, indexing is the process of using metadata to organize items in a searchable format. Instead of scanning every single file in your database for every query, the system refers to a pre-built map. Think of it like the index or table of contents in a book; instead of flipping through every page to find a specific chapter, you can jump straight to the page number listed in the index. Windows Indexing works on the same principle, categorizing your files to ensure near-instant search results.