Fix: Microsoft Windows Search Indexer High CPU Usage Windows 11/10

Several Windows 11 or 10 users experience some high CPU usage from Searchindexer.exe. When they check on the Task Manager, it is almost 100% CPU, and the Disk is also up to 50% usage by SearchIndexer.exe. In the Task Manager, you see many processes running in the background.

The SearchIndexer.exe means Microsoft Windows Search Indexer used for file search and indexing functions. It helps you search for folders or files through several methods such as Windows Explorer or the Start Menu. So, in this post, we are talking about how to solve Microsoft Windows Search Indexer High CPU Usage on Windows 10 or 11.

7 Methods to Fix Microsoft Windows Search Indexer High CPU Usage

1. Restart your Windows Search Service
2. Rebuild Windows Search Indexer.
3. Reduce the Amount of Data in Search Indexer
4. Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter
5. Delete the Search Database
6. Disable the Search Indexer Service
7. Run System File Checker

Method 1: Restart your Windows Search Service

Try to restart your Windows search service manually. Follow our given steps. It might reduce the Search Indexer CPU usage.

• Press Windows + R key and type services.msc, then click the RUN box.
• In the Service window, navigate the Windows Search option.
• Now, double-click the Windows search to get its properties.
• If the service is running, then press the Stop button.
• Press the Apply and OK button.
• Now, restart your Windows.
• Again open the Windows Search properties and change startup type Automatic (Delayed Start).
• Press the Start button and click Apply and OK button to restart Windows Search.
• After restarting the service, check the SearchIndexer.exe high CPU usage.

Method 2: Rebuild Windows Search Indexer

In this step, we will try to solve high CPU usage by rebuilding the Windows search indexer.

• In the Windows search bar, type Control Panel and click Enter button.
• Open Indexing Option.
• Now, click the Modify button and deselect all the selected locations except the C: drive.
• Click ok and go back to the Indexing Option Window.
• Click Advanced Button, and in the next window, click the Rebuild button.
• Now, press OK and confirm to rebuild the index.

Method 3: Reduce the Amount of Data in Search Indexer

This is another way to solve the High CPU usage in Windows 11/10. So, you can reduce the amount of data in the search indexer and fix the issue.

• In the search menu section, type Indexing Option and Search.
• Open the Indexing and Modify options to open the Indexed Location window.
• Click the C: drive to expand its folder.
• In the window, deselect some given folders.
• Now, press the OK button and close the window.
• Check the windows search indexer; it will not consume much CPU usage.

Method 4: Run Search and Indexing Troubleshooter

If you can run a search and indexing troubleshooter, it might help you solve the high CPU usage. So, run the Troubleshooter by following our given steps.

• In the windows search bar, type Troubleshoot and click Enter.
• In the Troubleshooter, click on the Additional Troubleshooter.
• Scroll down and click on Search and indexing.
• Now, click the Run the Troubleshooter button.
• After that, check the problem, which is high CPU usage.

Method 5: Delete the Search Database

If the database is too large or corrupted, it will cause high CPU and disk usage. Because of it, the window might try to re-index it.

• In the windows Search Bar, type File Explorer and click Enter button.
• Search the Following location C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\Search\\Data\\Application\\Windows
• Check the size Windows.edb file.
• If this file is enormous, then right-click Windows Search and click Stop.
• Now, mark the Windows.edb file and Press Windows + Delete on your keyboard.
• Check the Windows Service is running, right-click it and press Start.

Method 6: Disable the Search Indexer Service

You can disable the search indexer service from windows services. Follow our given steps and turn off the Windows Search Feature.

• Press the Windows + R keys, type services.msc, and click Enter to open the Windows Services.
• Double-click on the Windows Service option.
• Change the startup type in the Windows Search Properties and stop the service next to the running status.
• Now, restart your computer and check that searchindexer.exe runs on Task Manager or Disk, CPU.

Method 7: Run System File Checker

• In the Windows Search, type cmd and press Enter.
• Click Yes if you can see the User Account Control (UAC).
• Now Run these commands and press Enter after each:
  DISM/Online/Cleanup-image/CheckHealth
  DISM/Online/Cleanup-image/ScanHealth
  DISM/Online/Cleanup-image/RestoreHealth
• When it is done, Run System File Checker (SFC) and use the sfc /scannow
• Now, restart your computer.