Microsoft is making a subtle but useful change to Windows 11 Search that could make it easier to find files stored outside the usual folders.
Windows 11 can now automatically add frequently used folders to its search index. Instead of relying entirely on a predefined list of indexed locations, Search can take your folder usage into account and expand the locations it indexes.
The change is being gradually rolled out to Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 through the KB5120998 preview update, so it may not be available on every PC yet.
While the feature could make Windows Search more useful, some users may prefer to have tighter control over which folders are indexed.
Windows 11 Search can now learn which folders you use
Windows Search relies on an index to quickly locate files and other information stored on your PC. Microsoft says indexing catalogs file properties and, where supported, file contents so that searches can return results more quickly.
Previously, users who wanted additional locations indexed could manually configure them through Windows Search settings.
The new behavior adds another layer: Windows can automatically identify frequently used folders and add relevant locations to the search index.
This means that if you regularly work from a folder that isn’t part of the usual indexed locations, Windows may eventually begin indexing it automatically.
For users who frequently search for files across different locations, this could make Search more useful without requiring manual configuration.
Why Microsoft is changing Search this way
The goal is relatively straightforward: make Windows Search better at finding the files users actually care about.
A fixed list of indexed locations doesn’t necessarily reflect how everyone uses their PC. One person might keep everything in Documents, while another might store projects on a separate drive or regularly work from custom folders.
Automatically adding frequently used locations allows Windows Search to adapt to those usage patterns.
Microsoft already provides different indexing modes. In Classic mode, Windows indexes common locations such as Documents, Pictures, Music and the desktop by default. Enhanced mode can index the entire PC, including user folders and files.
The new automatic-location feature sits alongside these existing controls.
Not everyone will want automatic indexing
Although automatic indexing can be useful, there are good reasons why some Windows 11 users may want to turn the feature off.
Large folders containing photos, videos, archives, virtual machines or other sizable collections can contain a huge number of files. Users who don’t need those files to appear quickly in Windows Search may prefer not to have additional locations automatically added to the index.
There is also the question of background activity.
Windows normally maintains its search index in the background and updates it as files change. Microsoft notes that indexing can take additional resources, particularly while an index is initially being created or rebuilt.
For that reason, users on older or resource-constrained PCs may want to decide exactly which locations Windows Search should cover.
How to stop Windows 11 from automatically indexing additional folders
If you don’t want Windows to automatically discover additional relevant locations, Microsoft provides a setting that lets you control the behavior.
Here’s where to find it:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Privacy & security.
- Select Search.
- Look for Automatically find additional relevant locations.
- Turn the setting off if you don’t want Windows to automatically add frequently used folders to the index.
You can turn it back on later if you decide that automatic indexing is useful.
Turning this option off doesn’t disable Windows Search
There is an important distinction here.
Disabling Automatically find additional relevant locations does not turn Windows Search or indexing off completely.
Windows will continue indexing locations that are already included in its search configuration.
Microsoft also provides separate controls for choosing which folders are indexed. In Windows 11, users can go to Settings > Privacy & security > Search and use the available search-location controls to customize what Windows indexes.
So users don’t have to choose between completely automatic indexing and no indexing at all.
You can also exclude specific folders
Windows 11 provides another option for people who want more granular control.
If there are particular folders you don’t want included in Search, you can add them to the list of excluded folders.
Microsoft’s documentation says excluded folders can help reduce the number of items being indexed and the size of the search index.
This can be useful if you have a large directory that you rarely search but that contains thousands of files.
For example, a folder containing old backups or a large media collection may not need to be part of your everyday Windows Search index.
What happens if you leave the feature enabled?
For most users, leaving the option enabled should require no additional configuration.
Windows can continue using its normal indexed locations while automatically adding other locations that become relevant based on usage.
The main benefit is convenience: you don’t have to remember to manually add every folder where you frequently work.
If you notice that Windows Search is becoming less responsive, indexing more data than expected, or consuming resources while processing a large collection of files, you can revisit the setting and adjust your indexed locations.
Windows Search is getting more flexible
This is a relatively small Windows 11 change, but it fits into Microsoft’s broader effort to make Search more useful and customizable.
Windows Search has been receiving several changes, including controls over the types of results that appear and improvements to the overall search experience.
The new folder-indexing behavior takes a slightly different approach by allowing Search to adapt to the way individual users organize and access their files.
For people with straightforward file setups, the change may go largely unnoticed. But for anyone who regularly works across custom folders and drives, automatically indexing frequently used locations could save time.
At the same time, Microsoft has kept the feature optional, giving users a way to decide whether Windows should automatically expand the locations it searches.
The bottom line
Windows 11 is becoming a little smarter about where it looks for files. Frequently used folders can now be added to the search index automatically, potentially making file searches faster and more relevant.
If you’d rather keep complete control over your indexed locations, head to Settings > Privacy & security > Search and disable Automatically find additional relevant locations.
And if you want even more control, Windows still lets you customize indexed locations and exclude specific folders from Search.
For the latest rollout updates and troubleshooting guides, follow our Windows 11 coverage as more details emerge.
