How to Configure a Search in Windows Indexing Service
Some hard drives consist of hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of gigabytes, which can make sifting through the device's thousands of files and folders difficult. Luckily, all of the Window's operating systems have a built-in search function that allows you to scan your hard drive quickly. If you know the general area where a file or folder may be, you can index the search by creating a catalog, which will search the selected areas of the hard drive.
Instructions
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Create A New Catalog
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Open the "Control Panel" from the "Start" menu.
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Double-click on the "Administrative Tools" icon. A series of options will be listed.
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Double-click on "Computer Management." A console tree will be displayed.
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Double-click "Services and Application" from the console tree. A set of options will expand.
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Double-click "Indexing Service." A set of options will expand.
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Right-click "Indexing Service."
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Mouse over "New" to expand a new series of options and click "Catalog." A new window will appear.
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Give the catalog a name by typing in the "Name" field.
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Click "Browse" to bring up a standard Windows Explorer window.
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Locate and click the folder you would like to make a catalog for. After you have highlighted it, click "OK" three times to save your selection.
Define Scope Of The Catalog
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Double-click the name of the catalog you want to define the scope of from the console tree. The catalog's container will expand.
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Right-click "Directories."
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Mouse over "New" and click "Directory." A new window will appear.
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Click "Browse" to bring up a standard Windows Explorer window.
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Locate and click the file you want to include and click "OK." Repeat this as many times as needed.
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Click "Yes" in the "Include in Index" panel to include the folders in the catalog.
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Click 'OK" to save your changes.
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Right-click on the catalog and click "Properties" to bring up the "Properties" window. From here you can configure the many technical aspects of the catalog, such as the way the catalog is tracked. Once finished, click "OK" to save your changes.
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Right-click "Indexing Service" from the console tree. A list of options will appear.
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Click "OK" to begin searching with an index that includes your created catalog.
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References
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