Windows indexing service allows instant searching of PCs and corporate networks. It is an operating system level service that maintains an index of most of the files on a computer and updates them without user intervention.

Initially developed for Microsoft's web server software, Internet Information Services, the indexing service is now included as a standard, though initially disabled, feature of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista.

Search interfaces

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Once the indexing service has been turned on and has built its index (which can take hours), the index can be searched in a number of ways.

The search option available from the Start Menu will use the indexing service if it is enabled. Queries can also be performed using the Indexing Service Query Form in the Computer Management application. Third party software such as AimAtFile Fast File Search, Grokker Desktop or Eluent tools can also query the index.

External links

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• Indexing Service - from Microsoft Windows XP Professional Resource Kit

Microsoft Windows