Indexer data location: registry value DataDirectoryComputerHKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search

Policy ID: DataDirectory
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: Microsoft Windows Vista, or any version of Windows with Windows Search 3.01 or later
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Search

Registry

DataDirectory

REG_SZComputer

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Path (under 128 characters):
Value type: REG_SZ
Required: true

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]

; Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data
"DataDirectory"="<enter value>"

CMD

:: Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v "DataDirectory" /t REG_SZ /d "<enter value>" /f

PowerShell

# Value names and types follow the ADMX. Replace <enter value> below with your own data

New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search' -Force | Out-Null
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search' -Name 'DataDirectory' -PropertyType String -Value '<enter value>' -Force | Out-Null