Windows Search Indexing Self-pausing / Not Rebuilding After Win Update

Yesterday I received a Windows feature update (not a patch but a full update to v 20H2) and it has completely destroyed Windows Search. I rely on it heavily (for file + content searches of over 70,000 files) and I am running out of ideas on how to repair it...

Rebuilding the index does not work. The service will start indexing / rebuilding but the moment it reaches approximately 600 items, it goes into "Indexing is paused" and does not progress.

I have tried restarting the service - the same happens, "Indexing is paused" after a few hundred items. I have stopped the service, deleted the .edb file and started the service again - the result is the same, "Indexing is paused".

I have removed Bing from searches, just in case. No joy.

I have run the Windows troubleshooter and each time it runs, it always identifies a problem ("Windows search is not working"), proclaims it fixed it...but the indexing will not progress.

I have reset the search with the PowerShell script. No improvement.

I am running out of ideas. Something is pausing the indexing but I can't figure out what. I may turn to a third-party solution but before I do that, my questions are:

1. Does anyone have any idea how to resolve this?
2. What (free) third party software do you recommend for desktop searching (that covers content as well)?

Thanks

 

I suggest you revert to 20H1 while you still can.

 

Thanks, it's what I did and, of course, index rebuilt itself without a problem.

How can I prevent Microsoft from pushing the v20H2 on me, except by pausing updates for a week?

 

It may download but won't install until you tell it to.

 

Can I prevent it even from downloading? When updates like that download and wait for the go-ahead to be installed, they sit in my taskbar and cause the CPU to struggle...

 

If you are on Home I don't think there is anything you can do. With Pro 20H2 (my situation) you can defer upgrades for up to 35 days, but it may be longer in 20H1. Check Advanced Options in settings. I don't believe a downloaded update imposes any discernible load on the CPU while awaiting install.

 

Thank you.