How to Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 11

Adding or removing file types for the Windows 11 search index lets you control what Windows searches through when you type in the taskbar 🖥️. Windows 11 uses a built-in search index (a catalog of your files that speeds up searches) to find documents, pictures, and other items in seconds.

You can customize this list to include specific extensions like .docx or exclude unwanted formats like .tmp so your search results 🔍 stay fast and clutter-free.

How to Change File Types for Indexing

You can change which file types Windows 11 searches by opening the Settings app and navigating to the Advanced indexing options menu. This lets you control exactly which file formats are included when you search for items on your computer, helping you manage your windows 11 file types index to keep your search results fast and accurate.

1. Open Settings. You can do this by pressing the Win+I on your keyboard.

   

2. In Settings, click on Privacy & security in the left-hand menu. Then, on the right side, click on Search.  Open Search settings

   

3. Scroll down to the Related settings section and click on Advanced indexing options.

   

4. In the Indexing Options window, click the Advanced button.

   

5. Click on the File Types tab.

   

Remove a File Type from Indexing

You can stop Windows 11 from searching specific file formats by unchecking them in the File Types tab of the indexing options. Removing unwanted extensions from your windows 11 file types index prevents clutter in your search results 🔍 and makes finding your important documents much faster.

• Find the file extension (like “3fr”) in the list.
• Uncheck the box next to the extension you want to remove from the search 🔍 index.

Add a File Type to Indexing

You can include extra file formats in your searches by selecting them in the indexing options list. Updating your windows 11 file types index ensures that Windows looks inside specific file extensions when you use the search 🔍 bar.

• Check the box next to an extension (like “386”) that is already in the list but not being indexed.

Add a New File Type to Indexing

You can manually type in a missing file format if it does not appear in the default list. Adding a custom extension to your windows 11 file types index lets you search for specialized files that Windows does not normally track.

• In the box labeled Add new extension to list, type the file extension (like “bak”).
• Click the Add button.

• Now, you need to tell Windows how to index this new file type. Choose one of these options:
  
  • Index Properties Only: This means Windows will only search the file name and its details.
  • Index Properties and File Contents: This means Windows will search the file name, its details, and also the words inside the file.
  Windows will update the description based on your selection. “File Properties filter” means it will only search file names and details, while “Plain Text Filter” includes searching the words within the file.

10. When you are done making changes, click OK.

11. Click Close to close the Indexing Options window.

12. You can now close the Settings ⚙️ window.

Summary

You need administrator rights to make these changes.