i need to index pdf files in my laptop running windows 7

Ok I think I got it working. I am using Windows 7 Home Premium.

I uninstalled Adobe Ifilter 5.0 that I installed earlier. I uninstalled Foxit PDF ifliter ver.1 .0.0.32??.  I did this:

1.   Open Indexing Options by clicking theStart button, and then clickingControl Panel. In the search box, typeindexing options, and then clickIndexing Options.

2.   ClickAdvanced. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.   In theAdvanced Options dialog box, click the File Types tab.

4.   Uncheck the boxes beside PDF and PDFXML.

5. Check the Index Encrypted files on the Index  Settings tab.
6.  Click OK. Rebuild the index.
7. Download the Adobe 64 bit Ifilter from herehttp://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4025 .
8. After indexing is complete. Install the new 64 bit Ifilter. 

9.  Repeat steps 1, 2, & 3 but this time check on the PDF and PDFXML boxes and on the box next to Index properties and content.

10. Rebuild the index again.

Hi pradeepviswav,

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft windows vista forums!

Follow the steps below to add pdf files to the index so you can search in Windows by that file type.

1.    Open Indexing Options by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type indexing options, and then click Indexing Options.

2.    Click Advanced.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

3.    In the Advanced Options dialog box, click the File Types tab.

4.    In the Add new extension to list box, type the file name extension (for example, "pdf"), and then click Add.

5.    Click Index Properties Only or Index Properties and File Contents, and then click OK.

For more information on indexing, navigate to the following link

Indexing options

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-advanced-indexing-options

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Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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(DO NOT INDEX ENCRYPTION. THIS METHOD WORKS FOR WIN 7 64 BIT)   

Just as an update. I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit. I had the same problems at first then did the following which fixed it. Under no circumstance enable indexing of encryption. (Indexing Encryption will allow anyone who uses your computer to get passwords and personal information. Plus it can screw up the OS!)

1. Go to Indexing > Advanced > File Types, and remove the check for PDF. Press OK > Press Close
2. Uninstall any Ifilters that you have relating to searching PDF Files
3. Unless you have Adobe Reader 9.3 or higher, uninstall it.
4. Go to Adobe.com and install Adobe Reader 9.3 or Higher if not already installed.
5. Download and install Ifilter 9 from Adobe (Win 7 64 bit only)  http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4025
6. Go back to Indexing > Advanced > File Types, and re-check PDF.  The Press the 'Index Settings Tab' (THEN WAIT)
7. Try and keep all your PDF files in one folder.
8. Search for a PDF in the Windows search box (top right). You should see a message prompt near the top of the screen telling you that indexing is turned off, then asks you if you want to turn it on. Click the message and click to enable indexing.
9. Go back to Indexing, and click Rebuild (The rebuilding will take hours and will not work untill it is done!)

If you did as I said above, you will be able to click on a start button and search for PDF files, and the contents inside them, including ones that you may have used OCR.

Good luck. I feel happy now that I can use my $600 Fujitsu Scanner that I picked up at Goowill for $8.