Limit indexing and searching in Windows to save CPU

Stefan
Limit indexing and searching in Windows to save CPU

The performance and indexing feature in Windows allows users to limit CPU and thus improve computer performance. The performance and indexing function does this by limiting the search indexing function when the computer goes into power saving mode or gaming mode.

Windows creates a search index to make it easier and faster for users to search for files and folders on the computer. This process that runs in the background ensures that Windows constantly builds the search index. The constant search for new files to index takes up quite a few CPU processes and can make the computer slow when this service is started.

To limit the processes of this search index service you can enable the performance and indexing function. Not only does this feature improve computer resource consumption, but it also improves battery life in laptops. This is how to enable or disable the performance and indexing feature in Windows.

Limit indexing and searching in Windows to save CPU

Right-click on the Windows start button. Click on Settings in the start menu.

Settings in the Windows start menu

In the Windows settings, click Search to open the search settings in Windows.

Find settings in Windows

In the left menu, click Search Windows. Navigate down a bit until you reach Performance and indexing. Enable the Performance & Indexing feature by clicking the blue slider. By clicking the same slider again you disable the Performance and indexing function in Windows.

Enable or disable performance indexing feature

Windows 10 build 18965 introduces a new option for the search indexer that allows it to respect the device's power mode settings.

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Change downloads folder location in the Microsoft Edge browser

These new settings change the performance of the indexing service. Windows 10 comes with the ability to index your files so that Windows startmenu, Windows Explorer and Cortana can search files and folders faster.

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!


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