Change location of Google Desktop Search index files.

logo3

  We talked about Finder earlier. Google Desktop is a great tool for keeping a comprehensive index of your desktop. So comprehensive that it create GBs of index file on your precious C: drive. As you know, keeping your C: drive full is sure way for a dead slow machine.  We have always wondered why Google have not given an option to set the location for the index files. But there is a way to change the location of the bloaty search index files.

  • By default the index is stored in:
    C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Desktop Search
    where USERNAME is your username on the computer. Local Settings is a hidden folder, you’ll have
    unhide it. If you are unsure how to unhide a file or directory read this .
  • Make sure you exit the Google Desktop Search application before proceeding.
  • Now, drag the WHOLE folder titled "Google Desktop Search" to a new drive or partition with lots of space. Lets say "D" so now your search files will be in the folder "D:\Google Desktop Search"
  • Next, click Start - Run - type regedit. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Google Desktop
  • change the value of data_dir to D:\Google Desktop Search.
  • Exit out of regedit and restart the Google Desktop search.
  • You’re done and your search index in now moved.

Technorati Tags:

No comments: