Exclude AppData from Indexing

[Yehia A.Salam]

Hello,

how can I exclude the AppData folder from indexing, it contains thousands of
files I never need to search for, and I have to hear the hard disk spinning
for an hour after installing any program to index its new files in Local and
Roaming folders.

I tried removing the checkmark besides the folder in the indexing options
but somehow it's not active, I can exclude all other folder except this one,
any workaround?

Thanks
Yehia A.Salam

 

[Michael Walraven]

Normally the AppData folder is not indexed (that is why it is grayed out).
Check the properties of the folder, advanced, the box to index the folder
should be un-checked. Why do you think it is being indexed?

Michael
Vista Home premium

 

[Yehia A.Salam]

because when i unchecked all the Users\User-Name folders and checked each
folder manually (Pictures, Music...) except the AppData, the number of files
indexed decreased from 56000 to 21000

 

[Michael Walraven]

Sure would seem to be a clue.
Note that some of the sub/sub folders under AppData are indexable, those
were probably what you saw being indexed.
for instance Temporary Burn folder, microsoft/internet explorer, recent
items and a few others are 'indexable' (they are not dimmed).

I changed the 'index this folder' property (and all sub folders) and the
number of indexed files went from 50,995 to 56,920. Not nearly as many as
you report

Michael

 

[Yehia A.Salam]

Sure those are two different machines with different installed program, but
anyway back to the point, anyway to exclude the AppData folder, maybe a
tweak in the registry?

 

[Michael Walraven]

You could (I tried this):
change properties for the AppData folder to do not index and have that
propagate through the sub folders.

Second option change properties for the AppData to DO index and have that
propagate. Then you can uncheck the folder in the index options.

a couple of data points.
Original conditions - 50,995 items indexed
Set to 'index' the directory and all subs - 56,920 items indexed
Set to 'don't index' the directory and all subs - 8,959 items indexed

Not at all sure how to get back to original conditions (or some folders
indexed some not).

Michael