Windows 11 Search Is Very Slow

I faced the same issue and managed to solve it with a simple fix.

It was due to some corruption in the app inside the user profile. I managed to fix it by deleting the files inside the following folder. There will be files that can't be deleted but just skip those:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_cw5n1h2txyewy

Then try to restart the PC, it should repopulate the app folder and search will be back to the usual speedy one. I tried various ways like reindexing and stuffs but didn't work. It's actually due to some issue with the searchapp and searchhost and if you dive deeper it is linked to this app. I suppose this is something like clearing cache or resetting apps like in Android.

Hi,

I'm experiencing a performance issue with Windows Search on my Windows 11 computer. When I try to search using the Start menu search bar, the search window freezes periodically for up to one minute before any results appear. This happens consistently, and the search UI becomes unresponsive.

Here’s what I’ve already tried:

1. Rebuilt the index via Control Panel
2. Deleted the Windows Search index folder to force a rebuild
3. Changed process priority for SearchApp.exe and SearchHost.exe
4. Switched index settings between Classic and Enhanced mode
5. Ran the Search and Indexing troubleshooter (no issues found)

Despite doing all of this, the problem persists. I recorded system activity using the Windows Performance Recorder and created an .etl file which I can provide.Any help or further steps to diagnose and resolve this issue would be very appreciated.Thanks in advance!

Hi

I have the same issue with search bar on start menu which lags quite long before showing any results, and then trying another search it lags even more. Firstly it don't show anything on trying to type the keywords then it slowly shows the interface.

I have tried the steps that you stated above as SFC scan and DISM followed by restarting my computer. Still the same issue persists. The issue I faced suddenly these days which was nowhere seen before several weeks.

So any other steps to follow or what to do next to resolve the frustrating issue.

I don't have a solution sadly but thought worth mentioning that I have the same issue. What I did notice is that it's slow whenever anything is connected to USB port. Moment I disconnect everything goes back to normal.

Search also takes 25% of CPU

I have the same issue. When I click on the search bar it takes 10-15 seconds to display something. This happened after one of the Windows Updates at the end of March 2025. I tried uninstalling it, but it made no difference. It's super frustrating. I am going to try reindexing and see if that helps.

Hello, my name is Anis. I'll be glad to help you today.

Please check system files integrity.

Run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:

Run SFC:

Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This process may take some time to complete.

Run DISM:

After SFC completes, type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Allow the process to complete.

Restart Your Computer.

Let me know how it goes.