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MikePen's avatar
MikePen
Bronze Contributor
May 12, 2025

Any simple way to disable AI search in file explorer?

I can't seem to find an option to disable the AI search in file explorer. The search results I get are useless, it can't even locate files by searching for keywords in file names. Are there any other tools on Windows I can use to search for files using keywords in file names?

5 Replies

  • RadicalDad's avatar
    RadicalDad
    Copper Contributor

    Just got a new PC and now I have this piece of garbage for search.  It doesn't work at all.  I know exactly what I'm looking for - all files with a specific word in the file name.  The AI search cannot find any of them.

    Does Microsoft understand how people with real work to do use their computers?  Do they test this AI crap before making it mandatory?  I can't find any way to turn it off.

  • mcol's avatar
    mcol
    Copper Contributor

    Semantic indexing that was forced with the Windows 11 May 2025 security update returns garbage file search results in File Explorer in addition to normal results; it finds random patterns in graphic files, for instance, and semantically matches them to the search term. Users should be able to disable this semantic indexing feature. 
    Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/how-to-get-started-with-semantic-indexing-on-windows-11

  • mcol's avatar
    mcol
    Copper Contributor

    Issue is semantic indexing that was forced with the Windows 11 May 2025 security update. Users cannot disable this feature. Check if your system has this feature by looking for a circular arrow with 2 stars in the search box of File Explorer. Also look under Settings > System > AI components for AI Phi Silica and AI Semantic Analysis
    Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/how-to-get-started-with-semantic-indexing-on-windows-11

  • Stegurus69's avatar
    Stegurus69
    Iron Contributor

    You can disable the AI search feature by going to File Explorer Options → Search → Turn off Enhanced Search.

    • mcol's avatar
      mcol
      Copper Contributor

      Not seeing an option for Turn off Enhanced Search -- up to date with Win11 updates

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