Windows Search - Windows Vista Service
Provides content indexing and property caching for file, email and other content (via extensibility APIs). The service responds to file and email notifications to index modified content. If the service is stopped or disabled, the Explorer will not be able to display virtual folder views of items, and search in the Explorer will fall back to item-by-item slow search.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 11, 7 and 8.
Startup Type
| Windows Vista edition | without SP | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Home Basic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Home Premium | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Business | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Ultimate | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Windows Search |
| Service name: | WSearch |
| Type: | own |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\SearchIndexer.exe /Embedding |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The Windows Search service starts as LocalSystem and runs in its own process of SearchIndexer.exe. It does not share its process with other services. If Windows Search fails to start, the error is recorded into the Event Log. Windows Vista startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the WSearch service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Windows Search will not start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is stopped or disabled.
Restore Default Startup Type of Windows Search
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows Vista edition and Service Pack, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreWindowsSearchWindowsVista.bat file to any folder on your hard drive.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Run as administrator.
4. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the SearchIndexer.exe file exists in the %WinDir%\system32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows Vista installation media.