You can configure the Windows 11 search index to include or exclude a specific file type via advanced indexing options. Here’s how.
Quick steps: Open the Start menu, search & open “Indexing Options”, click “Advanced”, go to the “File types” tab, select or uncheck file types to include or exclude them from search indexing.
By default, Windows indexes all types of files. This is a good thing because when you search for something, you’d expect it to appear in the search results. However, there might be times when you don’t want specific file types (files with specific extensions) to appear in the search results. On the other hand, if a specific file type is not appearing in the search results, you might want to check and include it.
Whether you want to include or exclude a file type from search indexing in Windows 11, it is pretty easy to do using the Advanced Indexing Options. In this guide, I will show you how to do it in simple and easy steps. Let’s get started.
Before You Start
- To change whether a file type can be indexed or not, you need administrator rights.
Include or Exclude a File Type from Search Index in Windows 11
The first step is to open the Advanced Indexing Options. For that, launch the Settings app by pressing the “Windows key + I” shortcut. Next, go to the “Privacy & security” tab in the left sidebar and then click the “Search” option.
Next, scroll down and click “Advanced indexing options” under the “Related settings”.
In the Indexing Options window, click the “Advanced” option. If you see a UAC prompt, click “Yes” to continue.
Go to the “File types” tab in the “Advanced Options” window. Next, do the following and click “OK” to save the changes.
- Include a file type in the search index: Select the checkbox next to the file type (file extension).
- Exclude a file type from the search index: Uncheck the checkbox next to the file type (file extension).
That’s it. With this small change, you’ve added or removed a file type from the Windows search index. Write down below any questions or comments you have. I’ll respond as quickly as possible.
Thankyou, Vamsi.
