Windows Search (WSearch) Service Defaults in Windows 10
Provides content indexing, property caching, and search results for files, e-mail, and other content.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Automatic |
| Display name: | Windows Search |
| Service name: | WSearch |
| Service type: | own |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\SearchIndexer.exe /Embedding |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WSearch |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
Windows Search is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting automatically when the operating system starts. Then the Windows Search service is running as LocalSystem in its own process of SearchIndexer.exe. If Windows Search fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the WSearch service has failed to start due to the error.
Dependencies
Windows Search cannot be started under any conditions, if the following services are disabled, deleted or working improperly:
While Windows Search is stopped, disabled or working incorrectly, the following services do not start:
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Search
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Search depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config WSearch start= auto
sc start WSearch
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The WSearch service is using the SearchIndexer.exe file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.