How to enable the indexing options in Outlook 2013 in Windows 7?

Question

The quick search bar in my Outlook 2013 installation is not working and I tried to configure indexing appropriately. When I go to

File - Options - Search - Indexing Options

the indexing location table is empty and the button "Modify" is disabled. If I go to "Advanced", I can only use the button "Rebuild" (which doesn't help with my problem), the rest is disabled as well.

It is a fresh installation, not upgraded from an older version. What could be the cause for that and how do I fix it?

Answer 1

Your Indexing locations show blank & modify option is grayed out because your windows search service is either stopped or disabled

To start a stopped or disabled Windows search service, do the following

1. Press Win + R & type services.msc & press enter
2. Locate Windows Search in the list of services
3. Double click on it to open Windows Search Service Properties
4. Make sure the service startup type is automatic(Delayed) & it is started

Answer 2

I see nobody has answered this and it took me hour and hours of painful search to finally come to the conclusion that Microsoft screwed all relying on Search with Win7 and Office 2013.

It’s simply "disabled" as Office 2013 is built for the useless win8 (only) So if you are like me and most others that prefers win7, then say good bye to the Search functionality.

There is of Couse the 99% useless "search folder" option.... but that is en general useless and time consuming.

I have only 2 advice:

1) Go back to Office 2010 2) Get a 3rd party Indexer like Lookeen, Filelocater or such. Both are good.... but not as "handy" as the old Win Search.