Windows 7: Problem with "Search programs and files" in Start menu.

This started a few weeks ago, don't know how or why.

If i go to Start (globe on lower left), and in "Search programs and files", e.g. type "car", it gives me the info essentially in triplicate - it lists:
"Control Panel (21)";

"Documents (1786)", which lists 5 files;

"Pictures (1786)" which is an exact duplicate of the same 5 files it's listing under "Documents (1786)";

"Files (6614)" which lists 2 files in common with the "Documents"/"Pictures" listing, and 3 other "car" related files.

If I right click on one of the files which is listed in all 3 categories, the path is identical -

C:\Users\NAME [i.e., the name I gave my computer]\Documents


So anotherwords it is NOT listing a file of which there are 3 copies, it is pointlessly listing the same file in 3 separate categories.
The file does not exist in my actual "Pictures" file, only in my actual "Documents" file.

When I place my cursor on one of the files listed in all 3 categories , it highlights the file in all 3 categories.

When I do a Search it used to be very fast, it's now very slow.

I've searched the net for a cause/solution and found none.
I enabled the Search fix tool (forgot what it's called) and it found nothing.

I've considered doing a System Restore, but don't know how long ago this began, I may not be able to go back far enough.

I've also considered having it rebuild the Index, but don't know if that will solve the problem of listing things in duplicate/triplicate.



Help please.

Rebuilding the Index would be a good idea, to see if that fixes your problem. Refer to this link on how to do it.

Index - Rebuild

I've done so.
Unfortunately, it rebuilt it the same way.

Do you or anyone else have another suggestion?

If not, what forum would you suggest I go to for checking into this further?