On Windows 11, the âWindows.dbâ is the database containing the indexing information for Windows Search to provide faster results for files, emails, and other contents.
The database is essential to the operating system, but sometimes it can unexpectedly start taking up a lot of space due to the number of files you have on the computer. In addition, if you use email clients (such as Outlook) and Windows Search is configured to index a PST file, the size of the âWindows.dbâ database can also cause the system to run out of storage.
If you notice that your computer is running low on space when you donât have a lot of files or the âProgramDataâ folder is oddly large, Windows 11 offers a way to reduce the size of the database.
This guide will teach you the steps to delete (and reduce the size of) the âWindows.dbâ database, causing storage issues on Windows 11.
Rebuild Windows.db file to free up space on Windows 11
To delete and recreate the Windows.db file on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 11.
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Click on Privacy & security.
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Click the Searching Windows tab.
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Under the âRelated settingsâ section, click on Advanced indexing options.
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Click the Advanced button.
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Under the âTroubleshootingâ section, click the Rebuild button to delete the âWindows.dbâ file.
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Click the OK button.
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Click the Modify button from the âIndexing Options.â
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Clear the Microsoft Outlook option.
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Click the OK button.
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Click the Close button.
Once you complete the steps, the system will delete and recreate the âWindows.dbâ database freeing up many gigabytes of space on Windows 11.
Source: Pureinfotech