How to Stop Windows Search from Slowing down the computer

If your laptop feels sluggish and Task Manager points to Windows Search as the culprit, you're not alone. Many users experience high CPU usage from SearchIndexer.exe, especially when indexing runs unchecked across the entire system. In this guide, we break down how to tame Windows Search—using built-in settings, smart folder exclusions, and a script-driven approach to enforce low priority and CPU affinity. Whether you're a home user or IT professional, these steps will help restore performance without sacrificing search functionality.mputer running smoothly.