The indexing service extracts information from documents and other files on the HD and creates a “keyword index.” This process can be quite slow on any windows system.

The idea is that the user can search for a word, phrase, or property inside a document, should they have hundreds or thousands of documents and not know the file name of the document they want. Windows XP’s built-in search functionality can still perform these kinds of searches without the Indexing service. It just takes longer. The OS has to open each file at the time of the request to help find what the user is looking for.

Most people never need this type of search. Those who use this type of search are typically in work environment where thousands of documents are located on at least one server. But if you have no need for this search feature, I recommend disabling it.

Steps for disabling indexing service on Windows:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
2. Right-click on the C: Drive,
3. Select Properties.
4. Uncheck checkbox “Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching.”
5. Apply changes to “C: subfolders and files,” and click OK.

If a warning or error message appears (such as “Access is denied”), click the Ignore All button.
Restart computer and enjoy in faster Windows.

Tags | Howto, Speed Up, Tips and Tricks, Tutorials, Windows