Windows Indexing - What is It, and How Can it Affect Me?

what windows indexing, how use it, , why might getting in way, when doing video editing?

 

well, versions of windows has feature, called windows indexing. little application roams system, looking files, can index, searches quicker. many computers, causes no problems, goes looking @ doc, , txt files, compiling indexes speed searches, content. when it’s working, it’s behind scenes, , causes no problems. when doc or txt file changes, or created, lock file, while searches through content future searching.

 

now, when 1 doing video editing, working large files. windows indexing cannot glean av files, or various working files, nle (non linear editor) creates, , updates constantly. inability extract useful info files not stop windows indexing trying - , trying. files locked, user, or nle cannot access them, when needed. every time 1 of these files gets changed, or written, windows indexing lock it, attempts job. can cause sorts of issues, , many slowdowns , program crashes.

 

one can find out if have windows indexing turned on, or not. on default. go computer , click on each hdd (hard disk drive), both internal , external, , rt-click, choosing properties. in versions of windows, windows indexing status shown near bottom of drop-down menu.

 

this differs version, 1 can turn off entire hdd, or can limit folders. turn off, video , image editing on computers, leave on, folders doc , txt files, speed searches, , windows indexing can speed up, doc, txt , similar files.

 

hope explains why 1 might getting “access denied,” “file locked,” , other errors, or major slowdowns, when working large av files, or perhaps when writing dvd folder. also, render files can locked windows indexing, struggles job.

 

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noel carboni posted comments on windows indexing on photoshop forum. though there differences in files being indexed, , of ramifications, thought info useful, adding here:

 

disable indexing

indexing supposed make quick , easy find things on computer using windows search (that little box @ upper-right of explorer windows).

 

but when think it, make sense read files on disk, extract possibly want search for, , store on same disk way?  to consider indexing providing better performance searching files, microsoft must picking , choosing data think you'll want (excluding data won't want search for), you'll want search, , in kinds of files, , in fact are.  how know you'll ever want search for?

 

they can't.  not indexed, , never be!

 

try this:  create simple text file on disk, in temporary folder.  call "findme.log" , put in text "this file contains important tax information".  now navigate folder explorer , enter word "tax" search box @ upper-right.  enter of words in file!  windows search not find file, because not in .log files default, , there's no fallback strategy - windows search not index nor search information kinds of files. incredible!

 

all takes 1 time searching know there , not finding destroy confidence in windows search.

 

and scan through files endlessly, pick out strings might someday search for, , store them in yet set of files (the "index").  as though computer has nothing better do.

 

not basic premise of wrong, it's not implemented well.  the index becomes corrupted, , microsoft has provided functions clear , regenerate it.  just wanted doing - not.

 

consider these shortcomings:

 

• some file types not indexed or searched default – e.g., .log files, , there's no fallback.  if create new file type no one's seen before, contents not indexed.

 

• only strings microsoft thinks search indexed.

 

• because of poor implementation, indexing miss things in file types indexed – e.g., older microsoft word documents or files containing unicode text (microsoft's own invention).

 

• indexes become corrupted , windows search results fall out of date or stops finding things entirely.

 

• indexing operations use computer time, increase disk wear, , interfere own access files.

 

in summary, indexed windows search operations in windows 7 can't trusted find data in files when it's critical, , they're useless.  searching filenames using windows search can useful (though syntax ensure searches filenames bit tricky), but doesn't require indexing.

 

moreover, indexing can interfere file operations, causing system report disk corruption, because of implementation error in indexing , ntfs (search web "atomic oplock", example).

 

so indexing should , utterly disabled.  this won't stop being able try windows search - on contrary indexing off windows 7 search actual files (within limitations listed above) when tell to, , (since indexing isn't implemented well) may increase probability might find you're looking for.

 

here's how disable indexing:

 

1.        click start , enter services in search box.

 

2.        when services (with little gears) comes up, click it.

 

3.        scroll down windows search service.

 

4.        right click , choose properties.

 

5.        change startup type disabled.

 

6.        click [ stop ] stop service.

 

7.        click [ ok ].

 

8.        click start , enter index in search box.

 

9.        when indexing options comes up, click it.

 

10.     click advanced button.

 

11.     click [ rebuild ] button delete index.

 

12.     it idea reboot after this.

 

 

-noel

 

and "thanks" noel putting together. thread appeared in has lot of photoshop material, , discussions on "other os's" win7, exerpted block.

 

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