Windows 7 - Index - Add or Remove File Types

   Information

Windows 7 uses the index to perform very fast searches on your computer. This will show you how to add or remove a file extension type from the Windows 7 index, for the included folder locations, to be included or not in the search results.

   Note

When you add a file type, you have the option to have the file indexed by one of the options below.

• Index Properties Only - The metadata for that file will be included in the index. For example, file name, date modified, author, etc... It will basically be what you see when you right click on the file and click on Properties and the Details tab.
• Index Properties and File Contents - The above will be inlcuded as well as the contents of the file itself if available. For example, all text in a Notepad .txt file. Not all file types contain text though.

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and double click on the Indexing Options icon.

2. Click on the Advanced button. (See screenshot below)

3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

4. Click on the File Types tab. (See screenshot below)

5. To Add a File Type to the Index

A) Select and check the box for the listed file extension that you want to add. (See screenshot above)

   Tip

If the file extension is not listed, then in the Add new extension to list box, type in the file name extension (ex: txt) and click on the Add button.

B) Select (dot) if you want this file to be indexed using Index Properties Only or Index Properties and File Contents. (See screenshot below step 4)
NOTE: See the note box at the top of the tutorial for more on this.

C) Go to step 7.

6. To Remove a File Type from the Index

A) Select and uncheck the box for the listed file extension that you want to remove. (See screenshot below step 4)

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 if you want to add or remove anymore file extention types.

8. When finished, click on OK. (See screenshot below step 4)

9. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

10. After a moment, you will notice the index being rebuilt. Click on Close. (See screenshot below step 2)