How to disable the indexing service in windows 10. Configuring an SSD drive in Windows to optimize performance

It is time to talk about the correct operation of solid-state drives in Windows 10. According to Microsoft, using SSDs on the “top ten” does not require any settings or preliminary preparation of the system for installing such a digital data medium, and changing the operating system settings on your own can only harm the drive based on flash memory.

But, despite all the assurances of the Windows 10 developer, one should still pay attention to some points, and also examine what the "top ten" does to ensure maximum performance and save SSD resource.

With the release of Windows 10, guides appeared on the network to properly configure the system to optimize solid state drives. But in fact, all of them were copies of similar instructions for the "seven" and "eight", because in the last OS, many actions are performed by the system automatically when the SSD is connected to the PC (disabling defragmentation, swap file).

What is the “top ten” doing to extend the life of an SSD without sacrificing its performance?

Initially, Microsoft set up the “top ten” so that when it detects a solid-state storage medium, it is already ready to work, without the need to make any changes to the OS configuration. It is known from official sources that the list of settings when using flash-based drives includes:

• deactivate defragmentation;
• using Superfetch
• disable ReadyBoost;
• sSD power scheme optimization;
• activation of the TRIM function for the drive.

Remembering the instructions for configuring other versions of Windows, you can note that indexing and caching of files are not disabled, as well as system protection (recovery points are created regularly, reducing the device’s working resource). It’s the same with folders for temporary files - there’s no suggestion to transfer them to the hard drive. Let's consider all this in order, starting with defragmentation.

Defragmentation of SSD in the "top ten" is disabled, but instead some optimization option is activated. Upon learning about this, many users immediately turn off this feature, some learn the mechanism of its functioning. And, as it turns out, TRIM block cleaning is a useful feature for solid-state digital media.

Defragmenting SSDs in Windows 10 is carried out only when shadow copying is enabled (system protection is active) once a month, but for such drives its essence is slightly different from defragmenting files on the HDD. In some cases, the lack of file defragmentation is useful (for example, with a subsequent increase in its size).

What should be disabled manually and what not

Many users who read an old article on setting up Windows 10 to work with SSDs argue that SuperFetch, caching, and file indexing should be turned off. These tips have a place to live, their implementation will lead to a loss of productivity and usability at the computer.

Next, we consider all options for optimizing the performance of a solid-state drive in the "top ten", noting that at least 15% of the space must be free on the disk to obtain high-speed advantages during its operation. And this is very important.

Deactivate the swap file

If there is insufficient RAM for comfortable operation and some tasks, it is advisable to use a swap file.

This fact is also supported by the fact that the mechanism of its operation implies the minimum number of pagefile.sys file calls for recording, regardless of the amount of installed and free RAM. The number of read operations exceeds the number of write accesses by approximately 40 times.

When the swap file is disabled, even if there is 8 or more GB of RAM, some "heavy" applications refuse to start (for example, Adobe Premier) or regularly crash. You may have to pay for increasing the SSD resource at this price.

Disable hibernation

Another controversial function is to deactivate the ability of the computer to enter hibernation mode. It is also used to quickly start Windows 10. For this, a hiberfil.sys file is created on the system volume. In it, “ten” writes the contents of RAM (in case of hibernation) or files necessary for a quick start of the system. The file size takes up as much space as the RAM installed on the computer, and the amount of data written to it does not exceed the current size of the used RAM.

If for a computer the deactivation of the function of putting the system into hibernation mode is not critical, then for laptop owners this will result in an accelerated battery discharge and the need to wait for the device to turn on. The process can drag on with a large number of programs placed at startup, especially on old devices. In the case of a PC, waiting for its full load is relevant if you want to extend the life of an expensive SSD.

It is also possible to reduce the volume of hiberfil.sys by disabling hibernation without turning off the fast boot.

System Restore

When the "File History" function is enabled and the system rollback points are automatically generated before performing operations affecting the system (installing / uninstalling software), the physical SSD resource is reduced. Therefore, it is recommended that you turn off file history and create recovery points. But such a careful attitude to the drive may result in loss of data or the need to perform a system reset in case of a serious failure and inability to roll back to its previous state.

When using a Korean solid state drive from Samsung, this can be done through the proprietary application Samsung Magician. Backing up in the background can lead to reduced SSD performance when performing many other tasks in the case of working with the media file system. Therefore, data backup should be performed while the computer is idle.

Intel, coupled with Microsoft, categorically does not recommend disabling the protection function of the operating system. With it, you can quickly return your computer to a healthy state without loss or with minimal loss of user data.

Transfer temporary and user files to the hard drive

Another option to reduce the wear of a solid state drive is to transfer temporary files and user data to partitions physically located on the hard drive. Thus, repeated overwriting of working files and their regular change (for example, stored on the desktop or in My documents) will slightly reduce the number of write operations on the SSD.

Usually, SSDs are used as system disks, so storing a multimedia library or image catalog on them is not advisable (this does not apply to games). Indeed, during the optimization process, many of the files for which the read speed does not matter much are affected, their blocks are repeatedly moved.

Superfetch, file indexing for accelerated search, record caching and others

Using or disabling these features is more of a problem than with others. Various manufacturers place conflicting data on their resources. It is up to the user to decide which of them to trust, but you should definitely familiarize yourself with the recommendations of leading SSD developers.

According to Microsoft, the Prefetch and Superfetch functions are also successfully used on SSDs, having undergone significant changes on Windows 10. Samsung claims that SSDs should not be used with Superfetch enabled.

As for clearing the cache buffer, here the information is also radically different even within the framework of one SSD manufacturer without reliable information due to one or another point of view. The cache buffer itself can be used, this will not affect the life of the flash memory in any way.

Search and Indexing

In Windows 10, the indexing service for indexing is more actively indexing, but without it, the search icon, which is always in a visible place, will be useless, and you won’t be able to instantly launch the system tool or open a frequently used file. Is it worth it to slightly extend the operating time of the SSD at the expense of convenience - decide for yourself.

As already mentioned, for high-performance operation of the SSD, it must have about 15% or more free space, which is associated with the peculiarities of storing digital data on such media. Many SSD developers supply proprietary utilities whose task is to reserve these ~ 15% of the space by creating a hidden volume.

The drive must be in AHCI mode. This can be checked in the Task Manager (called via Win → X).

Connecting SSDs, no matter who their manufacturer, is strongly recommended to the third-generation high-speed SATA interface, which does not use third-party controllers. It happens that the motherboard has a chipset for an Intel or AMD processor and additional ports on third-party controllers.

Connect SSD should, naturally, to the first. You can identify them both by marking on the motherboard, and using the manual for the system board or laptop.

Periodically visit the manufacturer’s website of your digital media or device support resource and check for the latest firmware. Software updates in a positive way affect the performance of the equipment, this applies not only to solid-state drives.

To summarize, we can say the following: for beginners, Windows 10 is well configured to minimize the performance of unnecessary information recording operations. Interfering with its settings does not make much sense, but experienced users can transfer temporary files to the hard drive and deactivate several functions (indexing, hibernation) to extend the life of the SSD, while compromising the convenience of working on a computer.

The Windows 10 search function in the Start menu on the taskbar is pretty good. It allows us to quickly find applications, admin tools, files and folders. Indexing is performed in the background without affecting the performance of your PC. Starting with Windows 10 version 1903, you can enable a new option for indexing your search, called Advanced Mode.

What is Windows Advanced Indexing Mode?

You need to consider how search works in Windows 10 to understand how advanced mode differs from the default search mode, which Microsoft calls classic.

Classic Search indexes specific locations in the operating system, such as libraries or items placed on the desktop. Users can add or remove locations from the search; Indexing is nothing more than adding file names and folder contents to the database to speed up the search. Inline search can still find files not in indexed places, but this takes longer.

Microsoft has created a new type of search index. When advanced mode is turned on, it creates a permanent database for all files and folders stored on your disks. This allows Windows to search your folders and files on all drives, rather than restricting the search to your default documents, images, videos and desktop.

Advanced mode, indexes all folders and files on your PC. All drives, including libraries, will be added to the database for faster searching. You can configure exclusions for specific folders.

Enable advanced search indexing mode.

Here's how to enable advanced indexing mode in Windows 10.

Step 1: Open app "Parameters"by pressing Win + I. Go to the section Search → Windows Search.

Step 2: To enable advanced indexing mode in the section Find My Files select “Advanced (recommended)”.

Advanced Search is activated immediately. This will start the one-time indexing process, it will take about 15 minutes to search to start returning these additional files in the results. If you have many files, this may take longer. After indexing is complete, you can find all your files using the search, almost instantly.

A search in Windows will index all hard drives, folders, and files in the system, with the exception of the folders listed in the section Excluded Folders on the same settings page. To exclude a folder from the search, add it to the Excluded Folders list.

Turn off advanced indexing mode.

Step 1: Open app "Parameters". Go to the section Search → Windows Search.

Step 2: To turn off advanced indexing mode in a section Find My Files select "Classic style", this will turn off Advanced Search mode and return the classic behavior.

Windows 7 uses an index to quickly find the most commonly used files. By default, all the most common files on the computer are indexed. Indexing includes all folders in libraries (for example, everything that appears in the Documents library), email messages, and offline files. Program files and system files are not indexed, since searching for these files is very rare. If the system does not specify which folders to index, then all disks will be indexed, which will negatively affect computer performance.

To adjust the indexing options to your needs, open. Start - Control Panel -.

This window shows that the disk is indexed D. To change the parameters, press the button Edit.

Now we leave the jackdaws on the folders that we most often access. You can also select subfolders for indexing in this folder.

We pass to the final stage of configuration. We return to the main window, and press the button Additionally

In this window, select the tab File types to configure what type of files will be indexed and to add your own file extension for indexing

Here you remove the daws from those extensions that you do not need. In field Add new extension to list, register your file extension. Click Add and OK. Go back to the window Additionally - and press the button Rebuild

Click OK and wait for the end of the restructuring of the index. If you do not want to use indexing, just uncheck the box from the disks Indexable Locations

A useful utility for instantly finding files in Windows, 3.5 years have passed, and " things are still there"- the full-time search service still does not please users. The long-awaited release of the Top Ten with a personal assistant Cortana, who learned to search for information not only locally, on the hard drive, but also on the Internet, did not change the situation. In this review, I am not bored, brief and in the "pictures" I’ll talk about the principles of work and self-tuning of quick search by adding the required directories to the indexed database (index).

How search works in Windows 10

As in previous versions of the OS, the "top ten" uses a similar search engine. Index - a set of necessary information about files on a hard disk, in the form of a group of files stored in a folder C: \\ ProgramData \\ Microsoft. Various properties of files (path, name, size, etc.) fall into the index, and indexing occurs during any of your manipulations - adding, changing or deleting controlled objects. Default Windows indexes a limited number of folders (directories, locations), this list does not include system files, program folders, network drives. Unfortunately, if you do not save downloaded movies or books in specially designated directories, then they are also “deleted from the list”. Thus, all non-logical logical disks on which personal files are commonly stored are deleted from the index: video, audio, photos, software distributions, documents, etc. For this reason, a regular search service is so slow, because the system first searches in its own list of indexed (index) files. Moreover, by default, searches outside the index are performed only by file names, ignoring archives (ZIP, RAR, CAB).

How to speed up your search in Windows 10

I think you have already guessed what to do in order to speed up the search in the system: index daily use folders. The easiest way to implement this is to add them in a pop-up fashion. libraries, by right-clicking → in the pop-up menu, click on the item of the same name → select the desired library or create a new one (screenshot). In one library ("Video", "Documents", "Images", etc.), you can combine folders from various locations and then view and organize files, as in a directory. When a folder is integrated into a library, its contents will be automatically indexed.

However, there is a method to add location to the index without using libraries. But first, make hidden folders and files visible, which will come in handy to us in the future.

So, open the Control Panel and find the applet (section) " Design and personalization"→ by clicking on the subsection" Explorer Options"(screenshot), switch to the tab" in the window that opens View"and activate the option" Show hidden files, folders and drives"(screenshot below).

Having finished with the minute optimization, let's move on to the second method of setting indexing and service parameters Windows search "for yourself."

• Using the search in the Control Panel, we’ll find and open the subsection " Indexing Options".

• All indexed locations appear in a new window. Click on the " Edit"(screenshot) and check the boxes in the drop-down list for the areas in which you often have to search. If the computer is powerful, and the vast majority of folders on a non-system drive D: \\ demanded, it is easier to add the entire disk to the index.

• Also make sure that hidden directories are included in the list of indexed directories. C: \\ ProgramData \\ Microsoft \\ Windows \\ Main Menu and C: \\ Users \\ [Your_Account_Name] \\ AppData \\ Roaming \\ Microsoft \\ Windows \\ Main Menu .

Confirming all changes with the " OK", we will give Windows a time to index new areas. Now you can be sure that the integrated Cortana service will work very, very quickly.

Who liked and helped the voiced solution to the issue and who voted for it on social networks (not necessary, but desirable!) - read the review on how to replace the search field with a compact icon and how to turn off the search (Cortana) in Windows 10 . By the way, disabling personal assistant (web search) will further accelerate the search process.

Important!

In the case of C.-L. problems with the service Windows search(search in Windows 10), such as slowing down or displaying incomplete results, in the "Indexing Options" window, through the appropriate link, run the troubleshooting tool for diagnostics (the penultimate screenshot).

Important!

An attentive and experienced computer user must have noticed that the irrelevant Internet Explorer Log has disappeared from the locations included in the indexing.

Dmitry dmitry_spb Evdokimov

Search in Windows 10 - use it to the maximum

Windows 10 Search Panel

Search in Windows 10, unlike previous versions of Windows, was originally built into the taskbar (taskbar) - it can be recognized by the magnifying glass icon next to the Start menu. The functionality of the program has been significantly expanded (Cortana's voice search is integrated for English versions, Internet searches are in progress). Just enter the first letters (of a file or program) - the result instantly appears on the screen.

Windows 10 Search Bar - Case Studies

So, let's see how you can and should use this toolkit Windows 10! Let's start with trivial things:

From my own experience - The Windows 10 interface is significantly different from its predecessors. Yesterday's Windows XP user and even Windows 7 are very confused here! I think the creators of Windows 10 that's why they left compatibility between old and new operating system firmware. Let me give you an example - the “Control Panel” of the Windows NT times and the tiled program “Settings” of Windows 10. Performing different actions, we get the same result.

Windows 10 Indexing Options

Now is the time to find out where Windows 10 search knows so much about programs and files, why it quickly finds them. The fact is that Windows is working hard yet another service that deals with indexing files. An index is a set of necessary information about file properties (name, path). Indexing works when adding, changing, or deleting files. When a file falls into the Windows index, the operating system already knows almost everything about it. The indexing service, in turn, passes the necessary information to the program "Search in Windows 10".

I also want to say that not all folders and files are indexed in Windows 10. That's why some users complain that the search in Windows 10 does not work. If you need to add files from a flash drive to the Windows 10 index, I advise you to do the following.