Windows Search (WSearch) Service Defaults in Windows 8
Provides content indexing, property caching, and search results for files, e-mail, and other content.
Default Settings
| Startup type: |
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| 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: |
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Default Behavior
The Windows Search service is a Win32 program that can be started by the Service Controller and that obeys the service control protocol. It is starting automatically after the operating system and most important software have been loaded and started in all editions of Windows 8. This service is starting automatically during the operating system startup in all editions of Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Update 1.
When the Windows Search service is started, it runs as LocalSystem in its own process of SearchIndexer.exe. If Windows Search fails to start, the error details are added to Windows 8 error log. When the operating system startup is complete, the user is being notified that the WSearch service hasn't been started.
Dependencies
Windows Search can't start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is disabled or not available.
All the services listed below will not start if Windows Search is disabled:
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. Depending on the version of your operating system, copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER.
For Windows 8 Core, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise:
sc config WSearch start= delayed-auto
sc start WSearch
For Windows 8.1 Core, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Update 1 Core, Windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Update 1 Enterprise:
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 8 installation media.