Do you notice that there is an executable file named SearchIndexer in the System32 folder? If you do, then do you know what does it use for? Now, read this post offered by MiniTool carefully, then you can know what it is and why it is running on your computer.
There are a large number of executable files such as LockApp.exe on your computer, and this post focuses on the SearchIndexer.exe. If you want to get some information about other executable files, then you should visit the MiniTool website.
What Is SearchIndexer.exe?
What is SearchIndexer.exe? It is one of the built-in Microsoft Windows executable files, which is designed by Microsoft and can be recognized as Microsoft Windows Search Indexer. And this file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
The SearchIndexer.exe file was originally known as Windows Desktop Search (WDS), and the file prepares all files and folders containing the phrase or character typed in the search bar.
You can see the Microsoft Windows Search Indexer process in Task Manager and right-click it to choose Properties.
Go to the Details tab and then you can clearly see the particular executable file is the SearchIndexer.exe.
As a Windows service, the SearchIndexer.exe is responsible for indexing user files for Windows search, and it is used in Windows Explorer, the Start Menu search box as well as the Libraries, which doesn’t pose a threat to your computer.
What’s more, you can use the SearchIndexer.exe to search for data in the contact list, email client, media files and monitors additions and changes to the content on your local computer to grab results faster.
How to Make SearchIndexer.exe Use Less RAM or CPU?
The best method to make SearchIndexer.exe use less RAM or CPU is to cut down on the amount of data that you are indexing. In fact, you don’t need to index every single file on your drive. So how to do this? Follow the instructions below step by step:
Step 1: Type indexing options in the Search bar and then click the best match one.
Step 2: Click the Modify button and then trim down the list of locations to just the ones you really need indexed. Click OK to save changes.
You can also make the Microsoft Window Search Indexer index only filenames in Indexing Options. Here is the tutorial:
Step 1: Click the Advanced button and then go to the File Types tab.
Step 2: Scroll down to some common formats like doc, docx, and other files, then you can see that they are configured to Index Properties and File Contents by default.
Step 3: You can change the setting to Index Properties Only if you don’t search within the files and only care about the file name. Click OK to save changes.
And if you really don’t want to use the process, then you can type services in the Search bar and then right-click Windows Search in the list to choose Stop. But it is not recommended to do this.
The Virus with the Same File Name
If you notice the SearchIndexer.exe file consumes up to 50% CPU and GPU power, then you should check if the file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. If it isn’t, then there should be a virus on your computer.
Although the security rating of the SearchIndexer.exe is only 10% dangerous, you can get the same file name virus because the writers of malware programs such as viruses and Trojans name their processes the same file name to escape detection.
There are several viruses with the same file name that have been detected: Bitcoin Miner (PUA) (detected by Sophos), and not-a-virus:RiskTool.Win32.BitCoinMiner.cxe and not-a-virus:RiskTool.Win32.BitCoinMiner.dhq (detected by Kaspersky).
And if you suspect that there is a virus on your computer, then you’d better perform a virus scan. Here is a quick guide:
Step 1: Press the Win key and the I key at the same time to open Settings and then click Update & Security.
Step 2: Click Windows Security and then click Virus & threat protection under Protection areas.
Step 3: Click Scan options and then check Full scan. Click Scan now.
Step 4: Wait until the process is complete, then it will show whether there is any virus or not. If there is, you can use Windows Defender to fix it.
Bottom Line
To sum up, you can know basic information about the SearchIndexer.exe file in this post such as what it is used for and how to disable it.