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On windows 7 there's 'pause' and there's 'indexing speed is reduced due to user activity' but what if one wants full speed during desktop activity?

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In XP, I believe you could do this by accessing the indexing service utility. From MS documentation: 1.Open Computer Management (Local) 2.In the console tree, double-click Services and Applications. 3.Double-click Indexing Service. To open Computer Management, click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management. – Harv Jan 17 '11 at 18:28
And then what? You only click there. – leladax Jan 19 '11 at 19:59
What is the indexing process' execution priority set to? – cp2141 Jun 30 '11 at 13:48
By the way, for what is worth I noticed that it doesn't take more than 2 to 5 minutes for it to go to full speed so it's not a critical functionality to have in the first place. At least in Windows 8. – leladax Mar 11 at 18:00

5 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

Summary from this page

  • limit what folders are indexed
  • update your Windows Search to version 4.0 (But only if Windows Updater hasn't already done)
  • HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\DisableBackoff
    set the value to 1 if you are on a non-domain joined computer

  • on domain joined computer, edit your group policy and set Disable indexer backoff to enabled Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Search

    DisableBackoff=1 in other words: Don't worry about system activity - just index and get it over with already!

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up vote -2 down vote

see http://brandontools.com/content/IndexerStatusGadget.aspx

don't think group policy method available in win7

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1  
-1: Answer doesn't explain how it applies to the question. – killermist Mar 10 at 21:36
up vote 4 down vote

There is a setting in the group policy for the computer, so you don't have to manually edit the registry.

  • Open run dialog: Win+R
  • Type gpedit.msc and hit OK
  • Browse to Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Search
  • Select disable backoff, and set it to Enabled.

enter image description here

http://codingtrek.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-enable-backoff-for-t.html

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up vote 3 down vote

Go in the registry to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\Gathering Manager\

and set the value of "DisableBackoff" to 1

Other interesting registry keys:

  • DisableBackOffNotificationOverride
  • DisableBackOffOnCPU
  • DisableBackOffOnIO
  • DisableBackOffOnNotifications
  • DisableBackOffOnUser
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up vote -2 down vote

"Searchindexer.exe" in task manager (you may have to show processes from all users), you can set the priority for that program in there.

Right click on Searchindexer.exe, select Priority> Above Normal or High (never select "real time")

http://techblissonline.com/run-program-process-cpu-priority-windows-vista-xp/

The down side:

It could slow desktop performance or lock up the system if set to high of a priority, A restart of the system or kill the process will clear this setting.

You have to set this every time SearchIndexer loads.

.

Here is some software that can change the priority on a permanent basis, I wold not make a permanent change utill you have experimented with settings first, it could cause problems when booting if you choose a too high priority and set it permanently.

http://www.prnwatch.com/prio.html

.

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I'm not sure the indexing service does its thing by changing its own process priority.. – Harv Jan 17 '11 at 18:25
Not sure what the OP means by "Full Speed" either, just posted the only thing that could apply to the question, at least to me anyway. – Moab Jan 17 '11 at 20:49
The question is clear, it does not mean priority. It means the opposite of 'it's reduced due to user activity' which is mentioned in the question. So stop blaming me. – leladax Jan 19 '11 at 19:56
It is not to me, link to where I blamed you for anything. – Moab Jan 19 '11 at 22:14

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