To fix Windows search issues like slow or missing results, rebuild the search index by going to Indexing Options → Advanced → Rebuild; 1. Open Indexing Options via Control Panel or Start search; 2. Click Advanced in the Indexing Options window; 3. In the Index Settings tab, click Rebuild under Troubleshooting and confirm; 4. Wait for the process to finish, which may take minutes to hours depending on indexed data; note that this removes only the search database, not files, and Windows will re-scan indexed locations; optionally, customize indexed locations via Modify to exclude unnecessary folders and improve performance; for best results, keep the PC powered and minimize system load during rebuild, and if issues persist, restart the Windows Search service via services.msc. Rebuilding the index resolves most search problems in Windows 10 and 11 by creating a clean, updated database.
Rebuilding the search index in Windows can help fix issues like slow searches, missing results, or the search function not working at all. Over time, the index can become corrupted or outdated, especially after system updates or software changes. Here’s how to rebuild it properly.

1. Open Indexing Options
- Press Windows R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
control
and press Enter to open the Control Panel. - Set the view to Large icons or Small icons, then click on Indexing Options.
Alternatively, you can type "Indexing Options" in the Start menu search and open it directly.
2. Click Advanced Settings
- In the Indexing Options window, click the Advanced button near the bottom right.
- This opens the Advanced Options dialog, where you can manage index settings and rebuild the index.
3. Rebuild the Index
- In the Advanced Options window, go to the Index Settings tab.
- Under the Troubleshooting section, click Rebuild.
- A warning will appear explaining that this will delete the current index and create a new one. This may take some time, but it ensures a clean start.
- Click OK to confirm.
?? Note: Rebuilding the index doesn’t delete your files—it only removes the search database. Windows will re-scan all indexed locations to repopulate the index.
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4. Wait for the Process to Finish
- After clicking Rebuild, close the window. The indexing service will begin deleting the old index and scanning your files.
- You can monitor progress in the main Indexing Options window—look at the number of indexed items increasing over time.
- The time it takes depends on how many files and locations are indexed—anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours.
Optional: Customize Indexed Locations
Before or after rebuilding, you might want to review what’s being indexed:
- In Indexing Options, click Modify.
- Expand the drives and folders to check or uncheck specific locations.
- Removing large or unnecessary folders (like program files or temp folders) can speed up indexing and improve relevance.
Tips for Best Results
- Make sure your PC is plugged in and won’t go to sleep during the rebuild.
- Avoid heavy system use while indexing runs in the background—it can slow things down.
- If search still acts up after rebuilding, consider restarting the Windows Search service:
- Open Services (
services.msc
) - Find Windows Search
- Right-click and choose Restart
- Open Services (
Rebuilding the search index clears out corruption and forces Windows to create a fresh, accurate database. It’s a reliable fix for most search-related problems in Windows 10 and 11.

Basically, just go to Indexing Options → Advanced → Rebuild. Not complicated, but often overlooked.
The above is the detailed content of How to rebuild the search index in Windows. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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