Windows Vista automatically index the places that matter most: all user profiles (including Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, etc), your Start menu (so you can find applications by name), your e-mail (for Outlook, anyway), your notes (for OneNote), and any Offline Files you’ve configured.

So, if you play by the rules and store everything in Documents, Pictures, or the other standard folders, you’re all set. If you’re a stubborn old coot who insists on storing your files at C:\MyFiles\ or something like that, well, it’s not being index. BTW, I’m a stubborn old coot.

To add a custom folder to the index, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click System And Maintenance.

3. Click Indexing Options.

4. Click Modify.

5. The Indexed Locations dialog appears. Click Show all locations, and then provide administrative credentials at the UAC prompt.

5. In the Change selected locations list, select the check box for the folder you want to add to the index. Don’t overdo it and select your whole C:\ drive–indexing will take too long, and you’ll get a lot of garbage results. Try to be as precise as possible. Click OK.

6. Click Close.

If you’re indexing unusual file types (like log files), be sure to index that file type.