Windows Search

Windows ServiceMicrosoft Corporation

Also called wsearch, windows search service, searchindexer

WindowsMicrosoft

The Windows service that builds and queries the file and Start search index.

What you need to know

This is the search index, not a random leftover.

Windows Search crawls files so Start and File Explorer can answer quickly. High disk after an upgrade or a new folder is often a rebuild.

Important?: Yes, for fast Start and File search
High disk normal?: During a rebuild, yes
Safe to disable?: Only if you will wait on every search

Feex says

If the disk is busy and search just broke after a big copy, I would let the indexer finish. Disabling WSearch makes every search crawl from scratch.

What does this service do?

Display name: Windows Search. Service name: WSearch.

WSearch maintains the index used by Start, File Explorer search, and some apps. SearchHost.exe is the box. This service is the catalog.

History on Windows

Still present

Windows Desktop Search shipped as an add-on in the Windows XP era. Windows Search became a built-in service on Windows Vista and has stayed on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. The service name WSearch is still the contract on current Windows.

Windows Search service history
First built-in as this service	Windows Vista (2007)
Earlier form	Windows Desktop Search add-on on Windows XP
Still present	Yes, including Windows 10 and Windows 11
Discontinued	No

Why does Windows need it?

Without an index, every search walks the disk. That is slow on a large drive and worse on a spinning disk.

When does it run?

It runs when Windows is building or updating the index, and when a search query needs it. It can look idle between those jobs.

Should it always be running?

Always running is not required. A working trigger or automatic start that wakes for indexing is enough. Disabled means every search is a live crawl.

Can I disable it?

Only if you accept slower search

You can stop WSearch to test whether the indexer is the disk load. Leaving it off makes Start and folder search slower. That is a trade, not a cleanup win.

What happens if I disable it?

Start and File Explorer search fall back to slower unindexed queries. Some apps that rely on the index return fewer results.

Process host

The indexer is usually SearchIndexer.exe. SearchHost.exe is the search box. Ending svchost.exe is the wrong first move. See SearchIndexer.exe / SearchHost.exe.

Dependencies

Windows Search dependencies
Depends on	RPC and core Windows services
Used by	Start, File Explorer, and some Microsoft 365 search surfaces

Resource behavior

CPU: Can rise while crawling
Disk: High during a rebuild
Memory: Moderate
Network: Low unless a location is remote

Common problems

High disk after an upgrade

Windows may rebuild the index. That can last hours on a large HDD. Check Indexing Options before you disable the service forever.

Search misses new files

The folder may be excluded, or the index may still be processing. Open Indexing Options and look at status.

Troubleshooting

Safe steps first.

See if the index is rebuilding

Indexing Options shows status. A rebuild is a reason for disk use.

Pause locations, do not delete System32

Remove a huge folder from the index as a test. Do not delete SearchIndexer.exe.

Rebuild only after you know the scope

A rebuild is a real job. Use it after a broken index, not as a weekly habit.

Technical details

WSearch technical details
Display name	Windows Search
Service name	WSearch
Common host	SearchIndexer.exe

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Microsoft Learn: Windows Search · Windows Search overview

Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.