How to Index Encrypted Files in Windows 11 Search

Option 1Use Windows Settings

Windows Settings ⚙️ lets you index encrypted files so you can find them quickly when you use the search 🔍 bar. Open Settings ⚙️ by pressing the Win and I, go to Privacy & security, select Search, and click Advanced indexing options. From there, check the box that allows search to include files with encrypted content.

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

   

2. On the left side, click Privacy & security. Then, on the right side, click Search.  Open Search settings

   

3. Look for Related settings and click on Advanced indexing options.

   

4. In the window that appears, click the Advanced button.

   

5. In the Index Settings tab, find the File Settings section. To include encrypted files in searches, check the box next to Index encrypted files. To stop including them, uncheck the box. This box is unchecked by default.

   

6. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

   • If you see a message saying “Policy is in effect,” it means this setting was changed using a different method. Click OK.
   • If you turned on “Index encrypted files” and your drive is not encrypted, click Continue to confirm.
   • If you turned off “Index encrypted files,” click OK to confirm.
7. Click OK to close the window.

8. The search index will need to be updated. Click Close.

9. You can now close the Settings ⚙️ window.

Option 2Use Local Group Policy Editor

Local Group Policy Editor lets you force Windows to index encrypted files across your entire computer if you use Windows Pro or Enterprise. Open the tool by pressing the Win and R, typing gpedit.msc, and hitting Enter. Go to Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, open Windows Components, and click Search to find the policy.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor. Type gpedit.msc into the Windows search bar 🔍 and press Enter.
2. In the left pane, go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.

   

3. In the right pane, find and double-click on the policy named Allow indexing of encrypted files.

   

4. To turn ON including encrypted files in search:

   • Select the Enabled option.
   • Click OK.

5. To turn OFF including encrypted files in search:

   • Select the Disabled option.
   • Click OK.

6. To let Windows decide:

   • Select the Not Configured option.
   • Click OK.

     

7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Option 3Use Registry Editor (Manual Steps)

Registry Editor lets you index encrypted files by changing a specific system key if your version of Windows lacks the Group Policy Editor. Back up your registry first since mistakes can break your system. Open the tool by typing regedit in the Start menu ⊞, go to 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Searchcopy, and add the correct DWORD value.

This registry backup prevents data loss if you accidentally make an incorrect change to registry keys.

Admin permission needed: You will need administrator rights to perform these steps.

1. Open the Registry Editor. Type regedit in the Windows search bar and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Navigate to the following location in the Registry Editor's left pane:
   HKEY_LOCAL_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
   

   If the Windows Search key does not exist, you may need to create it. Right-click on the Windows key, select New > Key, and name it Windows Search.

References:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows/Experience/Performance-Optimization/search-indexing-in-windows

Summary

Windows search index inclusion for encrypted files can be managed through three different methods depending on your system version and comfort level. You can use the basic Windows Settings app, the Local Group Policy Editor for Pro editions, or the Registry Editor for manual control. Each method achieves the same goal of letting you search through protected documents.