Indexing Broken in Windows 11 (Painfully Slow At Best)

Anonymous
2021-12-05T01:10:52+00:00

Hello

I have upgraded to Windows 11 Pro on two different laptops, and both have the same issue with indexing. It is painfully slow and then usually resets itself after a couple of weeks.

Both PCs are high-end laptops with Core i9 mobile CPUs (1 x 6 core and the other 8 core). Both run 2 x NVMe 1TB drives. Both have 64GB RAM.

Both run MS Office and I use Outlook for email connected to same IMAP accounts on both. My docs, pics, music and work-related files are all stored on OneDrive and accessed from both PCs (OneDrive is set to keep local copies on both PCs for fast access).

Windows is being asked to index around 250,000 files and 80,000 emails and calendar appts. Windows 10 used to accomplish this task in 6-8 hours max.

Windows 11 takes nearly two days just to index the emails. It can take up to three weeks to index the lot and then some folders simply refuse to be indexed. Then, after a couple more weeks it will eventually lose the lot and indexing has to start from scratch again (on both PCs)

I have tried:

Disabling backoff via registry so indexing never pauses

Only adding one location at a time to let it slowly build up (e.g., add only Outlook and when that finishes add a folder)

Rebuilding the index

Storing the index in different location

Search and Indexing Trouble-shooter

Nothing fixes the issue

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Mick

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

142 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-12-05T01:50:21+00:00

    Try disabling the indexing? I run without it so you can do it just fine. If you search a lot though I understand why you wouldn't.

    If you keep it on, you might be able to try changing the index options instead or something else along that line: https://windowsreport.com/indexing-windows-8/#3

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-12-05T02:08:23+00:00

    Hi Mikey. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

    Try these fixes for indexing in Windows 11:

    See here how to configure and then rebuild the Index to prepare for fast searches in Windows 11:

    https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-configure...

    https://www.ghacks.net/2021/10/26/how-to-manage...

    Once you have everything selected you want to be searched the rebuild the Index per the above tutorials and it should work now.

    If not then try these repairs to fix Search not working in Windows 11:

    https://www.webnots.com/how-to-fix-windows-11-s...

    https://allthings.how/7-ways-to-fix-windows-11-...

    https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-11/windows-11-...

    https://thegeekpage.com/windows-11-search-not-w...

    https://www.lifewire.com/fix-search-not-working...

    https://www.maketecheasier.com/windows-11-searc...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HEJj4oyjlQ

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2021-12-08T04:01:16+00:00

    Thanks, I'd love to but need it to find documents and emails for work.

    Was this answer helpful?

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-12-08T04:03:45+00:00

    Thanks, but had already tried all of this stuff and nothing worked.

    What did speed up the indexing was Create Windows 11 Installation Media and do an install keeping apps and files. I suppose this is essentially a repair install. I assume during the upgrade from W10 to W11 something must have messed up the indexing. I had the same on two PCs so doubt I am the only one.

    I was so happy at fist as the entire PC, including emails, was indexed in 4-5 hours.

    Was this answer helpful?

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2021-12-09T01:15:22+00:00

    i have the same issue with a laptop, do you find a solution yet?

    Was this answer helpful?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments