Question Can't rebuild or start search indexing

[nancyrector]

Hello!
For some reason my indexing is not turned on and it will not allow me to do so. I've tried to rebuild it from indexing options, but it does nothing.
I followed #2 on this post concerning using a BAT file and though it runs it repeats the error "the device is not ready". Screenshot attached.
This is a bit over my head and I'm unsure how to proceed.

My searching either crash Explorer or run forever. They prompt me to turn on indexing which I click to do so, but it never actually turns it on.

Any help would be appreciated.
Nancy Ü

 

[Ralston18]

There is a troubleshooter via:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/t...-experience/windows-search-performance-issues

Try running "sfc /scannow" and "dism".

References:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

Objective being to find and fix file problems.

Failing that Powershell may prove helpful. Especially if you are comfortable with .bat files and/or even Powershell scripts.

FYI:

https://pureinfotech.com/reset-windows-search-fix-problems-windows-10/

I have not worked (full disclosure) with those specific cmdlets so you may want to do some additional research for more information and details.

There are similar links to be found. Just be wary of any links that want to download things or involve registry hacks.

Barring some text based PS script or cmdlet that you can read and understand what it is doing or supposed to do.

 

[punkncat]

I have not dealt with this issue on that level, but have had to rebuild indexing on a couple of machines being used in the office where we use search very much as an integral part of our day.
The aspect about indexing that really stinks is that it takes DAYS to complete. It runs very slowly when you aren't doing anything and will basically stop if you use the PC at all. In my own case I either swapped in a laptop I keep as backup, or replaced with a (full PC) system until the indexing was complete.

 

[gardenman]

If the following page is any indication of what's really going on:
https://superuser.com/questions/150...-the-windows-search-service-on-local-computer
Then it's likely the drive/path for the index has been changed in some way to another drive letter. If possible, try doing what the user on that page did (inserted a flash drive, maybe 2 or 3 of them if you have the ports for them).

If that doesn't help, maybe the error talked about on the page could give you more information about what's going on. So look into the errors that you are getting.

If that doesn't help, maybe try turning "Fast Startup" off.
https://www.howtogeek.com/856514/how-to-disable-fast-startup-on-windows-10/

 

[nancyrector]

There is a troubleshooter via:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/t...-experience/windows-search-performance-issues

Try running "sfc /scannow" and "dism".

References:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

Objective being to find and fix file problems.

Failing that Powershell may prove helpful. Especially if you are comfortable with .bat files and/or even Powershell scripts.

FYI:

https://pureinfotech.com/reset-windows-search-fix-problems-windows-10/

I have not worked (full disclosure) with those specific cmdlets so you may want to do some additional research for more information and details.

There are similar links to be found. Just be wary of any links that want to download things or involve registry hacks.

Barring some text based PS script or cmdlet that you can read and understand what it is doing or supposed to do.

Thanks for the info. I'll start reading and going down the list.

 

[nancyrector]

I have not dealt with this issue on that level, but have had to rebuild indexing on a couple of machines being used in the office where we use search very much as an integral part of our day.
The aspect about indexing that really stinks is that it takes DAYS to complete. It runs very slowly when you aren't doing anything and will basically stop if you use the PC at all. In my own case I either swapped in a laptop I keep as backup, or replaced with a (full PC) system until the indexing was complete.

Yeah, I was afraid of that though I couldn't get mine to start the process.

 

[nancyrector]

If the following page is any indication of what's really going on:
https://superuser.com/questions/150...-the-windows-search-service-on-local-computer
Then it's likely the drive/path for the index has been changed in some way to another drive letter. If possible, try doing what the user on that page did (inserted a flash drive, maybe 2 or 3 of them if you have the ports for them).

If that doesn't help, maybe the error talked about on the page could give you more information about what's going on. So look into the errors that you are getting.

If that doesn't help, maybe try turning "Fast Startup" off.
https://www.howtogeek.com/856514/how-to-disable-fast-startup-on-windows-10/

Thank you so much for the info. I'll start going through the suggestions.

 

[nancyrector]

If the following page is any indication of what's really going on:
https://superuser.com/questions/150...-the-windows-search-service-on-local-computer
Then it's likely the drive/path for the index has been changed in some way to another drive letter. If possible, try doing what the user on that page did (inserted a flash drive, maybe 2 or 3 of them if you have the ports for them).

If that doesn't help, maybe the error talked about on the page could give you more information about what's going on. So look into the errors that you are getting.

If that doesn't help, maybe try turning "Fast Startup" off.
https://www.howtogeek.com/856514/how-to-disable-fast-startup-on-windows-10/

That was the issue! We had replaced drives etc. I found the error per the instructions and it was referencing S drive which was no longer there. I inserted a flash drive and reassigned it to S and the search started! Once it's complete I'm unsure how to migrate the location of the working search index away from the USB drive. I can keep the drive plugged in but not the best option I assume. Thank you SO much!

 

[gardenman]

I'm glad you figured it out.

To change the index locations looks pretty simple.
Open control panel.
Open Indexing Options.
Click Advanced.
Then you'll see "Current Location" which you can change.

It may require a reboot after changing it.

Reference: https://winaero.com/change-search-index-location-windows-10/

 

[nancyrector]

I'm glad you figured it out.

To change the index locations looks pretty simple.
Open control panel.
Open Indexing Options.
Click Advanced.
Then you'll see "Current Location" which you can change.

It may require a reboot after changing it.

Reference: https://winaero.com/change-search-index-location-windows-10/

The current location in Indexing Options shows C drive. There's no reference to the S drive that was the problem, but I have a very limited understanding of how this works.

 

[Colif]

Its possible the fact it can't/won't find any index files on the USB, it recreates them at the default location. It looks like it fixes the problem.

E:\Search\Data\Applications>

is part of the root directory of the Search indexer, so it couldn't start a file that was on the old drive

Windows.edb is the Windows Search index database. A search index allows users to quickly search for data and files in the file system due to indexing of files, e-mails in PST files and other content. Indexing is performed in the background by the SearchIndexer.exe process. Obviously, the more files there are in the system, the larger the size of the Windows.edb file. In some cases, it can grow up to tens or even hundreds of GB, taking up all the free space on the system drive.

The Windows.edb file is hidden and by default is stored in the folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows\.

Reduce Large Windows.edb (Windows.db) File Size | Windows OS Hub

The Windows.edb file (Windows.db in Windows 11) is the location of the index database for the Windows Search service. The search index allows users to quickly search for files, emails…

woshub.com

I have indexing turned off... or did, WIn 11 may have re enabled it again.