WindowsSearchSafeFilter.exe takes all available CPU cycles

WindowsSearchSafeFilter.exe takes all available CPU cycles

• Gaturam

  Hello all,

  Here is an update:

  WindowsSearchSafeFilter.exe is used for processing email attachments. We've seen this problem in the past when WDS attempts to index a corrupted attachment.

  Could you please try disabling the indexing of attachments to see if it remedies the problem To do this:

  1. Right click on the WDS icon (magnifying glass) in your system tray.

  2. Select “Desktop Search Options”

  3. Remove the check from “Index email attachments”

  4. Click on “Rebuild Index”

  If this causes the problem to go away please let me know. I can then assist you with trying to find the item that is causing the issue so that you can reactivate the indexing of attachments.

  Paul Nystrom - MSFT

  
  
  

• Wheat

  I ran the scanpst and scanost utilities. The scanpst.exe found errors in several of my PST files and appears to have repaired them. I have re-enabled the indexing of attachments, and so far everything seems to be ok. If this condition changes, I will post an update. As of right now, I am one happy camper!

  Thanks so much, Paul, for digging into this and giving us options. I love this tool and am very happy I am able to use it.

  Bo

  
  

• SugarJade

  Hi Paul,

  I do want to index attachments. Can you show me how to identify the attachments that cause WDS to use all the CPU

  Thanks,

  Eric

  
  

• Heffo

  Hi Bo,

  That's unfortunate. Off the top of my head, I'll just say make sure you don't have Prioritize indexing checked in the advanced section of your WDS options. If WDS is trying to build up the index (which is likely now that it is indexing attachments) prioritzing indexing can really slow your system down.

  If prioritize indexing is unchecked WDS should back down when you use your system. If it doesn't there still may be an issue out there.

  Paul Nystrom - MSFT

  
  
  

• YOUR-Mark

  I spoke too soon. My CPU pegged out again. Although this time I was able to work on my system, it was still way too sluggish.

  Bo

  
  

• FSales

  Hello eric_l,

  Finding the corrupted attachment could be tricky. There are a couple of routes that we can follow to get this working.

  Has Windows Desktop Search (WDS) ever been able to completely finish indexing If so, when did you run into the problem you're seeing now If it's a recent problem (the last week or so) you may be able to simply go through your recent emails, identify those with attachements, and then try to open the attachments in each email. Chances are that the corrupted attachement will not open successfully. Deleting that attachement should solve your problem (though if you find it and are willing to send it to me I'd much appreciate it as it might help us fix this issue altogether).

  If you haven't ever been able to successfully build an index with WDS or you simply have too many attachents to perform the steps above you can try running Microsoft's inbox repair tool. This tool can help clean up corruption in .pst files. Instructions on how to run this tool can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx scid=kb;en-us;287497

  I hope this helps some.

  Paul Nystrom - MSFT

  
  
  

• Jelle van der Beek30865

  This worked. I am not indexing email attachments and everything seems to be running like a champ.

  I assume there is some command line I can use to disable this option during installation if I wanted to

  Thanks!

  Bo

  
  

• Chandru

  Hi Bo,

  I'm glad to hear that this worked for you. You can exclude the indexing of attachements a few ways.

  You can use group policies: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows/search/dtsguide.mspx#EGKAC

  You can also set the preference during the standard installation process - just uncheck the "index e-mail attachments" box during the last step in the process. *Note that this will only work if you un-install and reinstall WDS. If you re-install over an existing version it will read and reapply your existing registry settings.

  In the event that you're interested, I'd also like to work with you to see if we can identify the attachment that is causing the problem. WDS should handle the situation better than simply running indexing forever. Let me know if you'd be willing to do this.

  Paul Nystrom - MSFT

  
  
  

• Steve_Black

  Hello Bo and Conq,

  I'm hoping you might be able to provide me with a little bit more detail to help me diagnose the problem.

  First, it should be noted that WDS will use CPU time when your computer is idle. WDS was designed to index during idle times and pause indexing while you use your computer. This allows you to use your PC without WDS competing for CPU and memory resources. WDS will start indexing (and using CPU resources) again once the PC is idle. If this is the behavior you are experiencing it should be considered normal.

  Second, you noted that WDS is preventing you from using your PC. When WDS is operating normally you shouldn't encounter this situation (as explained in the paragraph above). Are you finding that WDS is interfering when you attempt to use your computer If so, could you please do the following:

  1. Describe what you are experiencing (is the computer slow , does it lock up are there other symptoms ).

  2. Provide me a list of the IFilters you have installed. To do this follow these instructions:

  • Go to the control panel and click on "Add or remove programs"
  • Scroll through the list of programs and identify any with "IFilter" in the name (i.e. Adobe PDF IFilter 6.0).

  Thanks,

  Paul Nystrom - MSFT

  
  
  

• Jan Stranik

  Hi,

  any news on this issue It started happening to me a week ago (after a few months of WDS usage) and it practically renders my computer unusable every now and then (takes 100% of CPU cycles).
  For example this morning I received 2 e-mails with ZIP attachments (cca 500 kB each), and that seems to be the problem. Even if I write a new e-mail, the lag happens.
  
  UPDATE: It also happens when I try the following:
  - in Total Commander I open a network drive
  - and doubleclick a GIF image to open it in Irfan View
  Then WindowsSafeSearchFilter kick in (OMG, why ) and keeps consuming all my CPU time for 5-10 seconds. Doesn't happen every time, though. HELP!

  Thanks,
  Pavel
  

  
  

• Parrot

  Got this problem as well. Anyone have an idea what is going on

  Thanks.

  
  

• BlkShdw88

  Just an update - we are looking into this one. I'll update this thread when I have more information. Thanks for your patience.

  Paul Nystrom - MSFT

  
  
  

• Anthony Kautz

  I have experienced the same issue.

  1. Computer slows down to the point of becoming unusable. No system instability. Tends to occur primarily with inbound/outbound email flowing through Outlook2003.

  2. Adobe PDF iFilter 6.0 is the only iFilter installed.

  Thanks.

  David O'Shaughnessy

  
  
• WindowsSearchSafeFilter.exe takes all available CPU cycles