Although it’s an essential system file (located in %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows), over time, it can grow very large as you store more files on your device. Also, if you use an email client like Outlook, and Windows Search is configured to index a PST file, the size of the Windows.edb database can eventually become a huge file (hundreds of gigabytes), making the system unusable and preventing you from storing anymore files. If you notice that the ProgramData is too big, or you have already identified that the Windows.edb is the reason your computer is running out of space, there are at least two workarounds to reduce the size of the Windows Search database. In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to delete (and reduce the size of) the Windows.edb database when has grown very large and you’re running out of space and you can no longer operating your Windows 10 computer.
How to delete Windows.edb file size on Windows 10 How to reduce Windows.edb file size on Windows 10
How to delete Windows.edb file size on Windows 10
To delete and recreate the Windows.edb file, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the Windows.edb file will be deleted and replaced with a new smaller version to index the Windows Search database file returning the ProgramData folder and Windows.edb file to their normal size. Searching Windows search indexing option Indexing Options advanced button Delete and rebuild Windows.edb file Windows Search stop indexing emails (PST)
How to reduce Windows.edb file size on Windows 10
Alternatively, if you don’t want to rebuild the index database on Windows 10, you can defrag the Windows.edb to reduce its size. To defragment the Windows.edb database, use these steps: Once you complete the steps, the process should reduce the size of the Windows.edb file reclaiming a lot of space on the hard drive making your device operational one more time. Reduce the size of Windows.edb with defragmentation Restart Windows Search service on Windows 10 If you don’t have a lot of files, but you’re using the Outlook app, it’s also recommended to reduce the amount of emails that client downloads to prevent the database to growing too big quickly. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.
