How to Speed Up Search on File EXPlorer Windows 10

The File Explorer in Windows 10 is an essential tool for managing and organizing files on your computer. However, as your file library grows larger, you may notice that the search function becomes slower and less efficient. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re looking for a specific file or folder urgently. Thankfully, there are several ways to speed up the search function in File Explorer. In this blog post, we will explore these methods and provide step-by-step instructions to help you improve your search experience on Windows 10.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

To speed up the search on File Explorer in Windows 10, you will need:

• Windows 10 operating system
• Basic knowledge of using File Explorer
• Access to the settings and options in Windows 10
• Patience to follow the steps and apply the necessary changes

What Requires Your Focus?

To speed up the search on File Explorer, you should focus on the following aspects:

• Indexing settings
• File extensions
• Search filters
• Offline files

Now, let’s dive into each option and explore how to optimize them for better search performance.

Option 1. How to Optimize Indexing Settings

The indexing feature in Windows 10 helps speed up the search process by creating a searchable index of files and their contents. By fine-tuning the indexing settings, you can optimize the search function in File Explorer. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.

Step 2: In the Control Panel window, change the "View by" option to "Small icons" or "Large icons" for easier navigation.

Step 3: Click on "Indexing Options" to open the Indexing Options window.

Step 4: In the Indexing Options window, click on the "Modify" button.

Step 5: In the Indexed Locations window, uncheck any unnecessary locations that you don’t want to include in the search index. This can include external drives or specific folders that you rarely use.

Step 6: Click on "OK" to save the changes and exit the Indexed Locations window.

Step 7: In the Indexing Options window, click on the "Advanced" button.

Step 8: In the Advanced Options window, go to the "Index Settings" tab.

Step 9: Under the "Troubleshooting" section, click on the "Rebuild" button to rebuild the search index from scratch.

Pros:
– Rebuilding the search index can resolve any issues or corruption within the existing index.
– Removing unnecessary locations from the index can reduce the indexing time for future changes to the files.

Cons:
– Rebuilding the search index may take some time depending on the size of your file library.
– Removing locations from the index means that the search results won’t include those files or folders.

Option 2. How to Optimize File Extensions

File extensions can affect the search performance on File Explorer. By excluding or including specific file extensions, you can refine the search results and speed up the process. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.

Step 2: In the File Explorer window, click on the "View" tab in the ribbon at the top.

Step 3: In the "Show/hide" section, check the "File name extensions" option. This will display the file extensions for all files.

Step 4: Navigate to the folder where you want to search for files.

Step 5: In the search box in the top-right corner of the window, enter the search criteria and specify the file extension using the syntax "ext:file_extension". For example, to search for only PDF files, you can enter "ext:pdf" in the search box.

Step 6: Press Enter or click on the search icon to start the search.

Pros:
– By specifying file extensions in the search criteria, you can narrow down the search results and speed up the search process.
– Excluding specific file extensions can help filter out irrelevant files and focus on the ones you need.

Cons:
– If you exclude or include too many file extensions, you may miss out on relevant files or include unnecessary ones in the search results.

Option 3. How to Optimize Search Filters

Search filters in File Explorer allow you to refine your search based on different criteria such as file type, date modified, size, and more. By leveraging these filters, you can enhance the search performance and find files more efficiently. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E.

Step 2: Navigate to the folder where you want to search for files.

Step 3: In the search box in the top-right corner of the window, enter the search criteria. For example, to search for files modified in the last week, you can enter "datemodified:this week" in the search box.

Step 4: Press Enter or click on the search icon to start the search.

Step 5: To refine the search results, click on the "Search" tab in the ribbon at the top.

Step 6: In the "Refine" section, select the desired filters such as file type, date modified, size, and more.

Pros:
– Search filters allow you to narrow down the search results based on specific criteria, making it easier to find the files you need.
– By applying filters, you can exclude irrelevant files from the search results and focus on the most relevant ones.

Cons:
– Applying too many filters can limit the search results too much and potentially exclude files that may be relevant.
– Search filters may not be suitable for complex search queries that require multiple criteria.

Option 4. How to Optimize Offline Files

If you use the Offline Files feature in Windows 10, it may affect the search performance in File Explorer. By adjusting the settings for offline files, you can improve the search experience. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.

Step 2: In the Control Panel window, change the "View by" option to "Small icons" or "Large icons" for easier navigation.

Step 3: Click on "Sync Center" to open the Sync Center window.

Step 4: In the Sync Center window, click on "Manage offline files" in the left pane.

Step 5: In the Offline Files window, click on the "Disk Usage" tab.

Step 6: Click on the "Delete temporary files" button to remove any unnecessary offline files that may be taking up disk space.

Pros:
– Deleting temporary files can free up disk space, potentially improving the overall performance of your computer.
– Removing unnecessary offline files can reduce the indexing time for future changes to the files.

Cons:
– Deleting offline files may result in the loss of access to those files when you’re offline.
– If you rely heavily on offline files, removing them may not be a suitable solution for you.

Why Can’t I Find Files in File Explorer?

If you’re still unable to find files in File Explorer even after optimizing the search settings, there could be other factors that are affecting the search. Here are three alternative solutions to consider:

1. Check the file location: Double-check the location of the file or folder you’re searching for. It’s possible that it may be in a different directory or drive.

2. Use third-party search tools: Consider using third-party search tools that offer advanced search capabilities and faster performance. Examples of such tools are Everything, Agent Ransack, and Voidtools’ Everything.

3. Reset Windows Search: If the search function is consistently not working, you can try resetting the Windows Search feature. To do this, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the command "net stop wsearch" followed by "net start wsearch" to restart the search service.

Implications and Recommendations

Optimizing the search in File Explorer can significantly improve your productivity and efficiency when it comes to locating files and folders. Here are three key implications and recommendations:

• Regularly review and update the indexing settings based on your changing file library. If you add or remove significant amounts of files or folders, rebuilding the search index can help ensure accurate and faster search results.
• Experiment with file extensions and search filters to refine your search criteria. By being specific with the file types and criteria you’re searching for, you can save time and quickly find the files you need.
• Keep your offline files organized and delete temporary files regularly. This will prevent unnecessary clutter and improve the overall performance of your computer.

The Bottom Line

By following the steps and tips outlined in this blog post, you can speed up the search function in File Explorer on Windows 10. Whether you optimize the indexing settings, leverage file extensions and search filters, or manage offline files, these methods can help you find files and folders more efficiently. Remember to regularly review and update your search settings to ensure optimal performance.

5 FAQs about Speeding Up Search on File Explorer Windows 10

Q1: Why is the search function in File Explorer slow?

A1: The search function in File Explorer can become slow due to various factors such as a large file library, misconfigured indexing settings, or excessive offline files taking up disk space.

Q2: How long does it take to rebuild the search index?

A2: The time it takes to rebuild the search index depends on the size of your file library. It can range from a few minutes to several hours. It’s recommended to perform the index rebuild during a time when you don’t need immediate access to your files.

Q3: Can I exclude specific file types from the search index?

A3: Yes, you can exclude specific file types from the search index by removing the corresponding file extensions from the indexing settings. This can help speed up the search and avoid irrelevant search results.

Q4: Are there any limitations to using search filters in File Explorer?

A4: While search filters in File Explorer are powerful for refining search results, they may not be suitable for complex search queries that require multiple criteria. Also, applying too many filters can limit the search results too much and potentially exclude relevant files.

Q5: Should I consider using third-party search tools?

A5: If you consistently experience issues with the search function in File Explorer or require more advanced search capabilities, using third-party search tools can be a viable option. These tools often offer faster performance and more flexible search options.