This Windows 10 May 2020 Update feature could speed up old, sluggish PCs
Windows Search will only run outside of peak usage times in Windows 10 version 2004.
What you need to know
- Windows 10 version 2004 can identify peak usage times and manage Windows Search around them.
- The change should make your PC perform faster if it has an HDD.
- Machines with SSDs won't notice as much of a difference, though the feature could help in some cases.
Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10 May 2020 Update includes a feature that will help some devices run better, especially those with older hardware. The upcoming version of Windows 10 will be able to identify peak usage times and manage when Windows Search indexes your system. This should reduce the stress on your system and CPU usage. Devices with older hard disk drives (HDDs) should see the biggest change, but in some cases, the change can help devices with solid-state drives (SSDs).
Windows Latest performed some tests while running several devices with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. According to their report, devices felt faster and performed better, at least in part due to the change to Windows Search.
HDDs are slower than SSDs, and as a result, can be bogged down by processing like Windows Search indexing. Moving these processes to non-peak times should reduce CPU usage and free up your PC to perform other tasks. Devices with faster SSDs don't suffer from slowdowns caused by Windows Search indexing as much, but the change should help them a bit as well when under heavy workloads.
The Windows 10 May 2020 Update will also stop Windows Search indexing entirely when you're transferring or deleting files, which can help your system run better as well.
More changes to Windows Search are on the way for Windows 10 but will come in future updates. Windows Latest reports that Microsoft is working to improve logic for Windows Search to identify the best times to index files on systems.
The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is just around the corner. If you want to read about all of its changes, make sure to check out our full review
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.