Resolving SearchApp.exe Conflicts for Enabling SLI in Nvidia Control Panel on Windows
SearchApp.exe is a core Windows process that indexes files and folders to enable faster searches. However, it can sometimes conflict with Nvidia’s SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology that allows using multiple Nvidia GPUs for improved graphics performance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through proven methods for disabling SearchApp.exe to successfully enable SLI in Nvidia Control Panel on Windows 10 and older versions.
Understanding the SearchApp.exe Process in Windows
SearchApp.exe is the main executable for the Windows Search service which indexes local drives to speed up searches. It runs as a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app inside a system container. On Windows 10, SearchApp.exe is located in C:\Windows\SystemApps\ and runs perpetually to maintain an up-to-date index.
How to stop searchapp Exe in Windows 10?
Step 1: You should open Task Manager again by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously. Step 2: In the Task Manager window, you should click the Processes tab, scroll down, and find out the running process of the SearchApp.exe. Step 3: Select it and then click End Task to terminate or stop the running process of the SearchApp.exe.
How do I stop Windows Search from restarting?
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and then select Task Manager. In the Name column, right-click SearchUI.exe, and then select End task. When you’re prompted to end SearchUI.exe, select End process. The Windows Search process will automatically restart the next time you search. If this solution doesn’t fix your problem, try restarting your device.
If SearchApp.exe is ended in Task Manager, it will automatically restart after a few seconds. That makes it challenging to keep disabled which is necessary for activating SLI in Nvidia Control Panel.
How SearchApp.exe Interferes with Enabling SLI
Nvidia SLI allows using two or more compatible Nvidia GPUs in tandem to boost gaming performance. However, when trying to enable SLI in Nvidia Control Panel, SearchApp.exe often interferes.
Here are some key points on the SLI conflict:
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With SearchApp.exe running, SLI gets disabled in Nvidia Control Panel.
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Ending SearchApp.exe task temporarily in Task Manager causes it to auto restart.
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SLI cannot be enabled during the short window before SearchApp.exe restarts.
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Performing a clean boot or stopping Windows Search service does not resolve the issue.
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The conflict arises because SearchApp.exe takes control of GPU resources needed for SLI.
Bypassing SearchApp.exe to Activate SLI in Nvidia Control Panel
Based on reports from users facing this problem, we’ve compiled proven methods to temporarily disable SearchApp.exe long enough to enable SLI in Nvidia Control Panel.
How to delete’searchapp’ file in Windows 10?
In this solution, we will delete the root folder of the ‘SearchApp.exe’ file. But first, we have to kill its process from the Task Manager. First, you’ll open the ‘Task Manager’ by pressing the ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete’ keys or searching in the Start Menu. Then, inside the ‘Processes’ tab, you’ll look for the ‘Search’ process.
How do I remove Cortana from Windows 10?
You have to paste them into in Administrator-level Command Prompt again and again until the timing is right and the “move” works. Optional: to remove Cortana completely (in addition to stopping searchapp.exe), run the following command in Administrator-level Powershell:
How do I check if a searchapp file is safe?
To determine if this file is safe to run on your operating system, you should check its location. the SearchApp.exe file should fall under the directory: Launch File Explorer and click on This PC. Now type the following address in the address bar and hit Enter. You can also navigate to this location manually.
Method 1: Use Command Prompt Batch File
This involves creating a batch file to terminate SearchApp.exe and other Windows shell processes in Command Prompt:
- Open Notepad and paste the following:
@ECHO OFF TASKKILL /F /IM Explorer.exe TASKKILL /F /IM Searchapp.exe TASKKILL /F /IM ShellExperienceHost.exe TASKKILL /F /IM StartMenuExperienceHost.exe START taskmgr.exe-
Save the file as KillShellProcesses.cmd on your Desktop.
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Right-click the file and select ‘Run as administrator’.
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This will end the shell processes and open Task Manager.
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Swiftly head to Nvidia Control Panel and enable SLI.
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Return to Task Manager and launch Explorer.exe to restore the shell.
Method 2: Rename SearchApp.exe
This involves renaming the SearchApp.exe file to prevent automatic restarts:
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Open Command Prompt as administrator.
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Enter the command:
cd C:\Windows\SystemApps taskkill /f /im SearchApp.exe- Rename SearchApp.exe using:
ren Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy.old-
Open Nvidia Control Panel and enable SLI quickly before restart.
Is there a way to disable Cortana web search?
They added the nifty feature (not) of web search in the Start Menu. You cannot just disable it with the remove Cortana registry key. That disables Cortana, but not the Web Search. I believe I found all the settings to…
How do I check if a Cortana process is running searchui?
I do suggest that you display the command line column in your Task manager so that you can check whether or not your Cortana process entry is merely running SearchUI.exe [as mentioned in the first tutorial I posted a link to].
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To restore, rename Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy.old back to original.
Method 3: Use Task Manager Timings
You can also leverage Task Manager’s process ending and launch timings:
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Launch Task Manager and end SearchApp.exe process.
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Swiftly click ‘Continue’ in Nvidia Control Panel to activate SLI.
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If prompt reappears, retry ending SearchApp.exe and click ‘Continue’ again rapidly.
Drawbacks of Disabling SearchApp.exe
While the above solutions can enable SLI, there are some drawbacks to disabling SearchApp.exe:
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Windows Search ceases to work until the process is restored.
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Some features like Cortana may also be impacted.
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If not renamed back, future Windows Updates can get affected.
Therefore, it’s best to re-enable SearchApp.exe immediately after activating SLI and then manage the feature’s resource usage if needed.
Alternatives for Improving SLI Performance
Beyond resolving the SLI activation issue, you can also optimize overall graphics performance with multiple Nvidia GPUs by:
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Ensuring GPUs, motherboard, and drivers are SLI certified.
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Updating to the latest Nvidia GeForce drivers.
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Tweaking SLI settings like SLI rendering mode in Nvidia Control Panel.
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Overclocking GPUs safely within temperature limits.
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Setting GPU fans to higher speeds using programs like MSI Afterburner.
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Improving case airflow and component cooling.
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Using a bridge connector for maximum bandwidth.
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Disabling CPU bottlenecking through overclocking.
Conclusion
SearchApp.exe is vital for Windows Search but can hinder enabling SLI crossfire in Nvidia Control Panel. By leveraging the temporary workarounds outlined, you can successfully activate multi-GPU SLI performance boosts on Windows 10 and older versions when needed. Just remember to re-enable SearchApp.exe afterwards to avoid instability. With SLI correctly configured, additional tweaks can further maximize your gaming PC’s graphical capabilities.
