How to Fix a Computer Indexing Problem

When Microsoft came out with Vista, it released Service Pack 3 for Windows XP. Both Vista and XP Service Pack 3 have what is called "computer indexing." This program allows a person to retrieve files quicker because they are sorted for quick accessibility. However, some of the problems with computer indexing is that it indexes "on the fly." This method seems to slow down older computers because they do not have the extra resources to allow this program to continuously index files. Purge the indexing system so there are no errors or duplicate indexing.

Instructions

1. Go to "Start," then "Run." Type in "services.msc" and press "OK."

2. Once the "Services List" comes up, right-click on "Indexing Service" and left-click on "Properties."

3. Select "Disabled" on the drop-down menu, then "Apply" and close the box.

4. Go to "Start," then "My Computer." Right-click on "Local Disk C:," then left-click on "Properties."

5. Find the box that reads "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast files searching" In the bottom portion. Clear the tick box and click "Apply," then click "Apply changes to C:\, subfolders and files." Click "OK" and reboot the computer.

6. After the computer reboots, open "Search files and folders" and look for idx, .idq, .ida and .htx type files. These are all of the old index files on the system.

7. Remove all idx, .idq, .ida, and .htx files to reset the indexing system.

8. Go to "Start," then "Run." Type in "services.msc" and press "OK."

9. The "Services List" comes back up. Right-click on "Indexing Service," then left-click on "Properties." Select the drop-down bar to "Automatic." Click on "Apply" and "Start." Click on the "X" in the top right.

10. Go to "Star,t" then "My Computer." Double-click on "Local Disk (C:)" and find the folders you want to index.

11. Index the folders by right-clicking on each one and left-clicking on "Properties."

12. About three-quarters down the page, click on "Advanced." Click the option "For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this folder." Click "OK." Accept the option to include subfolders and their files and repeat steps as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• "Indexing Service" indexes what you set up, so if there are too many files indexed, you will experience performance issues. Remove all indexing file types if you are going to run these step for preventative maintenance. If you don't, you could make duplicate files, which will slow down the indexing system.