What is SearchApp.exe? Is it Harmful? Disable or Fix it?

Windows users may have noticed an executable file named “SearchApp.exe” recently. This file is associated with the Windows search function, but some users are reporting that it is causing problems in their systems such as high CPU usage.

In this blog post, we will discuss what SearchApp.exe is, whether or not it is harmful, how to disable it if necessary, and how to fix any potential issues caused by this file.

What is SearchApp exe?

SearchApp.exe in Windows 10 is an executable file that is associated with the Windows search function. This file is responsible for indexing files and folders on your computer so that they can be searched faster and more efficiently.

In the previous releases of Windows 10, this executable file was part of Cortana, and it was known as ‘SearchUI.exe.’ However, in the 19H1 update to Windows 10, Microsoft renamed this program and merged it with the Windows search function.

This low-resource process is responsible for ensuring that the search menu appears immediately when you click the search bar in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar. To put it another way, SearchApp.exe is in charge of ensuring that your taskbar’s search bar works correctly and gives you accurate search results for all of your queries.

Generally, the process runs in the background and doesn’t consume many system resources. However, some users have reported that this file is causing high CPU usage, which can lead to slow performance and other issues on their systems.

Is SearchApp.exe Harmful?

Despite the fact that some users have reported high CPU usage caused by SearchApp.exe, this file is not a virus or malware. It is a legitimate process that is necessary for the Windows search function to work correctly.

However, if you find that this process is causing problems in your system, it is possible that a malware program is running in disguise as a legitimate program.

To check if the SearchApp.exe running on your system is legitimate, you need to check its Microsoft digital signatures.

The catalog of this program file includes Microsoft’s digital signature, which indicates that the software has not been altered. So, verifying the digital signatures for this file is a simple task. Here is how to do that:

1. On your system launch File Explorer.
2. Now navigate to the following path or just copy and paste it on the address bar: C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy
3. In the opened window, look for SearchApp.exe or SearchApp.
4. Right-click on the executable file and select Properties from the context menu.
5. Under the Properties window, switch to the Digital Signatures tab.
6. Select the certificate and click on Details.
7. Now, under the General tab click on the View Certificate button.
8. A new window will be launched that will display the certificate information. Look for the details like Issued to and Issued by and certificate validity.
9. If both have Microsoft Windows, the certificate and the executable file are genuine.

If the certificate is not genuine, you can try the method listed in the next section to disable SearchApp.exe.

How to Disable SearchApp.exe?

If the SearchApp.exe process is causing trouble to your system, you can disable it temporarily and check if it solves the problem. In order to disable this process, you can use one of the following methods.

Disable SearchApp.Exe in Windows 10 | 11 Using Task Manager

The task manager shows the information on the current state of your computer’s processes and applications, as well as the system’s overall status.

In this case, we’ll terminate Searchapp.exe using the Task Manager tool. Here are the steps for that:

1. Right-click on the Windows taskbar, and select Task Manager from the list.
2. In the Task Manager window, go to the Processes tab and look for searchapp.exe/Search process.
3. Right-click on it and select End task.

Use Command Prompt to kill Search.exe Process

The Command Prompt is a tool that may be run on any Windows PC and allows you to utilize text commands to administer the computer. You can use it to automate activities, troubleshoot issues, and perform all kinds of other operations.

Many users were able to fix the high CPU usage problem caused by SearchApp by using a series of command lines. Follow these instructions:

1. On the Windows search box, type Command Prompt, right-click on its icon and select Run as Administrator.
2. Type this command: cd %windir%\SystemApps in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. This will start System Apps on your system.
3. Next, use this command to kill the SearchApp.exe process: taskkill /f /im SearchApp.exe
4. Finally, execute this last command to successfully remove the Search from the system: move Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy Microsoft.Windows.Search_cw5n1h2txyewy.old
5. After executing all the above commands, exit the Command Prompt window.

Run Antimalware Scan

If the above methods don’t work for you, it is possible that your system is infected with malware. In this case, you need to scan your system using a reliable antimalware program and remove all malicious files from your computer. There are many free and paid antimalware programs available online. Choose one that suits your needs and scan your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summing Up

SearchApp.exe is a process that is part of Windows Search and helps you find files on your computer. Although this process is not harmful, it can sometimes cause high CPU usage, which can lead to performance issues on your system. If you are facing such problems, you can use the methods mentioned above to disable or fix the issue.

Do you have any other questions about this process? Let us know in the comments below.