How to Add Encrypted Files in Search – Windows 10

Windows 10 came with the optimized search engine. The fast search is the reflection of the efficiency of this OS. There is one limitation in the search panel of Windows 10 and the limitation is the unavailability of encrypted files in the search results of Windows 10.

This is the default settings of Windows 10, if you have some encrypted files in your system then you can easily make them searchable by following easy steps below.

Go to Start and type Indexing Options, click Indexing option on the top.

In indexing result window, click on Advanced button.

Now you are in Advanced Option window, click on the Index Encrypted Files. Before showing a check mark in this option, the system will ask you to give permission to run this action.

Click on Continue. You can use this option without any encrypted files in your system, but it is recommended to use this option only when you are using some sort of encryption in your system.

After clicking on continue, the previous window of advanced options will check mark the Index Encrypted Files. Click on the OK to proceed to further.

The Indexing Options window will show the progress of indexing files after clicking OK at the previous step.

Windows 10 will only show the encrypted files stored in the C: directory of your system. If you want to search the encrypted files of other folders, you have to use Modify option in Indexing Options window.

Now, you are in the Indexed Locations window. Click on the Show all Locations option in the bottom left.

Select the desired folders you want to be added in the encrypted files search and click OK in the bottom right to save the settings. Now your search bar of Windows 10 will add encrypted files in the Windows search panel.

Once done, your encrypted files will get indexed in search results and will show up in results.