Why is Windows Search so slow???

[Toni]

Before I installed Windows Search on my Win XP Pro SP3 laptop (2GHz, 2G RAM, completely
virus & malware free)., I used the original Windows search (search companion).

When I clicked on Search companion, the search dialog immediately came up, and when I
searched for a file on my HD the search was fast.

Now, when I click on the link for Windows Search, there is a 4-second delay before the
dialog comes up. Next, after I enter my search term and start the search, there is a
noticeable delay before it even starts.

But if I click on the link for Windows Search Companion, the dialog comes up immediately
and the search seems a lot faster.

What gives? Why is Windows Search slower? I thought it was supposed to be faster?

Can I put in a button on the file explorer toolbar for the original Windows Search
Companion?

 

[Terry R.]

On 2/25/2010 8:27 AM On a whim, Toni pounded out on the keyboard

Before I installed Windows Search on my Win XP Pro SP3 laptop (2GHz, 2G RAM, completely
virus& malware free)., I used the original Windows search (search companion).

When I clicked on Search companion, the search dialog immediately came up, and when I
searched for a file on my HD the search was fast.

Now, when I click on the link for Windows Search, there is a 4-second delay before the
dialog comes up. Next, after I enter my search term and start the search, there is a
noticeable delay before it even starts.

But if I click on the link for Windows Search Companion, the dialog comes up immediately
and the search seems a lot faster.

What gives? Why is Windows Search slower? I thought it was supposed to be faster?

Can I put in a button on the file explorer toolbar for the original Windows Search
Companion?

Hi Toni,

Windows Search (the installed one) is a pig. Uninstall it and disregard
the message about what was installed after it. Then you will have the
search component for XP. It's limited, but fine for most users.


Terry R.

 

[Toni]

Thanks, Terry!

 

[Jim]

Isnt Windows Explorer the only built-in search in xp? Or have I missed
something all these years!? I have a permanant problem with WExplorer, it
crashes after a few minutes of searching ( a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime
Error), never been able to get it sorted out and just live with it. A
nuisance tho... the OP is right it is quite slow in comparison to earlier
versions but I supposed this is a function of the large disks we all use
these days...
C+

Try using AgentRansack ( free )

 

[Mrosen7542]

Hi. "Everything" search is also a great and very fast search tool. Check it out here:
http://www.voidtools.com/
Mark

 

[Toni]

Isnt Windows Explorer the only built-in search in xp? Or have I missed
something all these years!?

No. "Windows Explorer" is not search, it's a file browser.

Windows comes out of the box with a built-in search called "Search Companion".

However, you can choose to install "Windows Search" either as a separate download OR
through the optional components in Windows Update. If you did not specifically choose to
install it, then you don't have it.

Charlie, your problem sounds like you have either a missing or corrupted Windows system
file.

 

[Toni]

Hi Toni,

Windows Search (the installed one) is a pig. Uninstall it and disregard the message
about what was installed after it. Then you will have the search component for XP.
It's limited, but fine for most users.


Terry R.

I uninstalled Windows Search. You're right, it was a pig.