Are you tired of searching for how to change the folder and search options in Windows 10/11 and not getting straightforward answers? In this guide, we show you how to change search options to enable faster and more efficient searching. While Windows has its own default search settings, changing these options is particularly useful if you have a large number of files you need to sift through.
How to change folder and search options
- Open File Explorer.
- In the top ribbon, look for Options. If you can’t see it immediately, press the three-dot symbol to open a drop-down box.
- A new window (Folder Options) will pop out.
- Navigate to the Search tab.
- Adjust the following settings as needed:
- Don’t use the index when searching in file folders for system files: This enables searches for system files that may not be indexed.
- Include compressed files (ZIP, CAB, etc): This allows searches within compressed folders.
- Always search file names only: This speeds up searches by limiting them to file names instead of content.
- Click Ok to apply changes.
Using advanced search filters in File Explorer
- Open File Explorer and go to your desired folder or file path.
- Right-click anywhere inside the folder and look for the Sort by option.
- Use any of the available filters to refine your search:
- Name: Filters in alphabetical order
- Date modified: Filters based on the last time a file was changed
- Type: Filters by file type
- Size: Filters based on size
You can also check whether you want the results to be presented in ascending or descending order.
How to change indexing options for better search performance
Accessing indexing options
- Open Settings and go to Search.
- Click Searching Windows and select Advanced search indexing settings.
- In the Indexing Options window, click Modify.
Customized indexed locations
- After clicking on Modify, you will be redirected to a new dialog box.
- Uncheck any folder that does not need to be indexed. Make the selection based on your personal preferences, such as frequently accessed folders and important files.
- Check folders that contain frequently searched files.
Rebuilding the search index
If, after you change search options in Windows 10, results are still slow or inaccurate, rebuilding the index may help.
- In Indexing Options, click on Advanced.
- Navigate to the Index Settings tab.
- Click Rebuild and wait for the process to complete. This can take a few seconds to several minutes, depending on how large the folder is and the number of files within it.
Changing indexing locations for faster searches
Users with multiple drives can move the index to a faster drive.
- Open Indexing Options.
- Click on Advanced, then select New Index Location.
- Choose an SSD or faster drive for better search performance. We recommend reading SSD vs HDD vs SSHD: How to Choose? for more information.
Troubleshooting search issues
Issue: Search is slow or not working
This can occur when your device has a lot of files. To resolve this, check the Task Manager> Services tab to ensure the Windows Search service is running.
Issue: File not appearing in search results
This may occur when your desired file is stored in a system-protected folder. To fix this, open Indexing Options, click Modify, and ensure the missing file’s directory is selected for indexing.
It’s also a good idea to verify that file extensions are enabled for content indexing in Advanced Options. If files remain missing, you can force Windows to update its index by rebuilding it.
Issue: Search finds some files but not all
Partial search results may be due to outdated indexing, incorrect search settings, or search history conflicts. This happens when files are frequently renamed or moved, which may cause search results to become inaccurate.
To fix this, go to Folder Options > Search and clear the search history to reset previous searches. Additionally, enable content indexing for file properties in Advanced Indexing Options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I change the folder and search options?
Open File Explorer and find the Options setting in the ribbon. Navigate to the Search tab and refine your search parameters based on your needs. Other steps are detailed in the above instructions.
How do I change search options in Windows?
Open Settings, navigate to Search, and select Searching Windows to access Advanced search indexing settings. Once there, you can include or exclude specific folders, enable content indexing, and optimize performance by limiting indexed locations.
How do I change File Explorer search settings?
In File Explorer, right-click anywhere to open a drop-down menu. Look for the Search by option and tweak settings according to your needs.
How do I change the options in File Explorer?
Open File Explorer, click on View, and select Options to access general, view, and search settings. This is where you can change how files are displayed and enable search filters for better file retrieval.
How do I reset search options to default?
If you want to revert to default settings, go to File Explorer, click on Options > Folder Options > Search, and click Restore Defaults. Additionally, rebuilding the search index can reset any corrupted settings and improve search accuracy.
What is the best way to speed up searches in Windows?
To improve speed, we recommend limiting indexed locations to only frequently accessed folders. You can also consider removing unnecessary locations from Indexing Options or moving the index to an SSD.
Can I search inside document contents instead of just file names?
Yes, you can. To do this, open Indexing Options, go to Advanced Settings, and ensure File Properties and Contents are selected for the relevant file types. Once enabled, Windows will scan inside text-based files and provide relevant results.
Knowing how to change folder and search options can boost efficiency and accuracy
It’s important to know how to change search options to optimize search performance, especially if you work with a lot of files. Adjusting these options can improve search efficiency and the accuracy of search results.
