SearchIndexer.exe: what is it, can it be disabled and how?

SearchIndexer.exe, also known as Windows Search Indexer, is a Windows service that can consume too much CPU and RAM and thus significantly slow down your computer. What function does this program perform and can it be deactivated to make it easier for your PC?

What Is the Windows Search Indexer?

SearchIndexer.exe is an executable file that belongs to the Windows search (or indexing) service. This tool runs in the background and is responsible for examining the contents of the hard drive in order to make it easier to find the file. The search indexer is a very useful service as it allows the computer to search much faster. Therefore, it is recommended to leave it enabled. However, this service consumes quite a lot of computer resources. Most often, this manifests itself in the constant noise of the hard drive, even when the computer is not in use, and also leads to a slow system response. To fix this, you can disable the Windows Indexing Service.

How to disable SearchIndexer.exe?

You can close the search indexer in the task manager, but keep in mind that the next time you turn on the PC, it will start again. If you want to disable it permanently, follow these steps:

Press the Win key to open Windows Search and then type Services.
Among the results, select the most relevant one and find it in the Windows Search list.
Double-click Windows Search and set it to Disabled.
Under Service status, click Stop in order to deactivate the service.
Click OK and restart your computer.

Now Windows Search indexing will no longer work.

How to limit Windows Search Indexer?

There is also a less radical way out. You can also just limit the items that Windows should index, thereby speeding up your computer.

Here's how to do it:

Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings app > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
Under the Find my files menu, choose Classic > Customize search locations.
Select Advanced Options > File Types to exclude specific file types from indexing.
Open again Windows Settings app and run Add an excluded folder to exclude all locations that are not in your active work directories.