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MS4TeePee's avatar
MS4TeePee
Iron Contributor
Mar 09, 2026

Windows 11 Search Slow: Very, Very Slow!

Windows 11 26200.7922 indexing is excruciatingly slow. I'm averaging between 900 and 2000 files indexed per 12 hour period. 

Is there a bug? Is this the new normal? Has indexing been vibe coded? 

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2 Replies

  • KapilArya's avatar
    KapilArya
    MVP
    Mar 09, 2026

    Try upgrading to a newer preview build, see if it helps.

    Additionally, I suggest to drop a feedback to Windows engineering team via Feedback hub app.

  • MS4TeePee's avatar
    MS4TeePee
    Iron Contributor
    Mar 09, 2026

    The problem, which has taken three days to fix, was caused by a lack of a PDF iFilter. As there was no iFilter, Search was using a PDF reader to do the indexing. The solution, then, is to install a PDF iFilter.

    I have a few questions:

    Where is the Microsoft Windows Search PDF iFilter? 

    Where is the Microsoft Windows Search documentation?

    Where are the error messages, warnings, clues related to fixing issues/problems with Microsoft Windows Search?

    Thanks very much