Solved Reverting Indexing Options (File Types) to Default

[menace97]

i am one of the many people having many issues with the indexing issues with windows 8.1. sadly my Windows.edb grows to a massive size every so often. i end up rebuilding the index often, but it is just a "band-aid" fix that is annoying. strange that microsoft has released updates for 8 and server 2012 but not 8.1!

"To resolve this issue, install update rollup 2836988 for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012."

well that doesn't work for 8.1 unfortunately.

• i have set my set my Windows Search service to automatic delayed start (it was set to just automatic)
  
• i did a SFC /Scannow the other day, with no issues coming up

one thing i do know is that i have added/removed/changed various file types for indexing (and the properties/file contents settings), so something i have been thinking about is trying to reset these file types to their default state. i'm not sure if this has anything to do with the file types in the other parts of the control panel, where you select which programs will open what.

so i am looking for a way to reset: Indexing Options > Advanced > File Types (Tab)

i know that these are not reverted to default state when you rebuild the index because i see file types i have added in this section.

any help would be much appreciated. it seems like i'm constantly re-indexing! (and yes, i do use the search service and would prefer to not disable it - as much as it drives me crazy)

 

[MilesAhead]

I could not find any way to revert the file type selections to default. For future reference, since all these settings are in the Registry, I recommend using a freeware tool such as Registry Backup since regular Windows Restore Points can let you down.

Edit: what makes this registry backup tool stand out is that it uses Volume Shadow Copy Service(VSS) to enable it to back up all registry hives even thought the system is in use.

I know that doesn't solve your problem. I can remember playing around a bit with the search indexing myself, and when I decided I would rather leave it the way it was when I started, there was no button to undo my changes. It is very frustrating.

In any case I use OneDrive for simple syncing and I have the Windows Indexing service disabled. As long as the OneDrive program in running in the tray, at least for the desktop version, it has no issue uploading as soon as I copy into the monitored folders. The "modern" Apps may be different. I use just about zero of those. Maybe I will peak at the Weather and let Windows Mail run in the background just so I can see if I have unread mail in the lock screen.

 

[menace97]

Thanks so much MilesAhead

I have never tried Registry Backup before, but I will be sure to give it a try. Yeah, I was a little surprised to not find an "undo" or "revert to defaults" button. I'm learning a bit more about how the VSS works - trying to wrap my head around it. I just started using Macrium Reflect after using Acronis True Image for years. One thing I've noticed is that Reflect doesn't backup the search index file (and begins recreating it as soon as a restore is done) whereas Acronis did. The file becomes corrupt so easily it seems, maybe it's for the best anyway - it's too bad though since I rely on accurate searches for many files, as I'm a graphic designer and have so many files I want to be able to find quickly.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[MilesAhead]

Yes, Macrium does skip many system files. As example it does not back up Restore Points. On the indexing, there are search programs/file managers that do indexing. The only Windows File Manager other than Explorer I used for any length of time was FreeCommander. But I have sort of painted myself into a corner since I wrote so many small utilities that use Explorer.

For this reason I cannot recommend any off the top of my head. Some people I know on other forums swear by Directory Opus. But I haven't given it more than a cursory try.

The trouble with using a third party freeware is you can get yourself locked in to a one man software solution. If the guy gets married and the wife decides giving away software is a waste of time, development can disappear fast.

But some of the free file utilities out these days have features to rival the paid applications. I have been meaning to really try MultiCommander. It is free, has scripting, and looks very powerful. But being limited to a Laptop WiFi situation I don't have the time to experiment with new software as I did when I had a couple of desktops always online.

 

[menace97]

those are some great suggestions for me to try. thank you!

i've used 'everything' and 'listary' before, and i like both, but in the end i've found once the index has completed, explorer really searches well. if that is something i have to live with due to using macrium reflect, i guess that's okay - it really is a beautiful application so far, with the good far outweighing me having to recreate the index upon a restore.

thanks again for the help - much appreciated!

 

[MilesAhead]

I have used Macrium for several years. This last upgrade I was offered the Server edition for the same price as the Pro upgrade. The incremental backup is worth the money. I used to do a fresh complete backup of my C: partition every time. The back up write time was about 45 minutes. With incremental, the first full backup takes the same amount of time. But the incrementals after that tend to be 5 minutes or less. Also it has a "diff" algorithm for the restore process that can make that much faster in most cases.

I think the Server trial period is 30 days. If you try doing incrementals I bet you won't want to go back to doing full backups every shot.

 

[xbliss]

Interesting addition. I'd have thought Win 8 & 8.1 updates would be common