This tutorial will show you how to remove the "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index." message banner at the top of File Explorer when searching for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Indexing the content of your PC helps you get faster results when your searching it for files, emails, or other local content.
When you disable Search Indexing, you will see a Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index. message banner at the top of File Explorer when searching by default.
You can permanently disable the message without having to enable Search Indexing.
Contents
- Option One: Remove "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index." in Folder Options
- Option Two: Remove "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index." using REG file
EXAMPLE: "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index." message in File Explorer
Remove "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index." in Folder Options
1 Open Folder Options.
2 Click/tap on the Search tab in Folder Options. (see screenshot below)
3 Check (remove) or uncheck (enable - default) Don't use the index when searching in file folders for system files (searches might take longer) for what you want.
4 Click/tap on OK.
5 If File Explorer is currently open, then close and reopen File Explorer (Win+E) to apply.
Remove "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index." using REG file
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (remove) below for what you want.
2 Enable "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index."
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_OFF_Dont_use_index_when_searching_in_File_Explorer.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Search\Preferences]
"WholeFileSystem"=dword:000000003 Remove "Your searches might be slow because the index is not running. Click to turn on the index."
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_ON_Dont_use_index_when_searching_in_File_Explorer.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Search\Preferences]
"WholeFileSystem"=dword:000000014 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
8 If File Explorer is currently open, then close and reopen File Explorer (Win+E) to apply.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
