Windows 11 utilizes a background indexing service to make searching for files on your local hard drive incredibly fast. By default, this indexer is also configured to scan and catalogue “Offline Files”—network files from a corporate server or NAS that you have pinned to be available when you are disconnected from the network. While this allows you to search through network shares quickly, indexing thousands of remote files over a Wi-Fi connection can consume significant CPU cycles, drain battery life, and cause heavy network congestion. If you only search for files stored locally on your physical C: drive, you should disable offline file indexing.
How to Stop Indexing Offline Files
You can adjust these parameters using the classic Indexing Options control panel.
- Click the Start Button on your Windows 11 taskbar.
- Type Indexing Options into the search bar and press Enter.
- The classic Indexing Options window will open. Click the Modify button at the bottom left.
- A new window titled “Indexed Locations” will appear.
- Look in the top list for an entry named Offline Files.
- Click the checkbox next to Offline Files to uncheck it.
- Click OK to save your changes.
- Click Close to exit the Indexing Options menu.
Windows will immediately purge all network and offline files from its search database. Your local searches (for installed apps and local documents) will remain lightning fast, but you will save significant background processing power when connected to your network drives.