The Advanced tab is unavailable in the Indexing Options item in Control Panel

In the Indexing Options item in Control Panel, the Advanced tab is unavailable. The tab appears dimmed, and you cannot select it. Additionally, the Windows Desktop Search service does not start.

This problem occurs when the computer's index catalog is corrupted.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, force Indexing Options to repair the index catalog. To do this, use one of the following methods, depending on the operating system.

Windows Vista

1. Click Start
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   , click All Programs, click Accessories, and then right-click Command Prompt.
2. Click Run as administrator.
   
   
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   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3. Type net stop wsearch, and then press ENTER.
4. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
5. Click Start
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   , type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
   
   
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   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
6. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\SetupCompletedSuccessfully
7. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
8. Type 0, and then press ENTER.
9. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

When the computer restarts, Indexing Options re-creates the corrupted index catalog.

Microsoft Windows XP

1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. Type net stop wsearch, and then press ENTER.
3. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
4. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
5. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search\SetupCompletedSuccessfully
6. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
7. Type 0, and then press ENTER.
8. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

When the computer restarts, Indexing Options re-creates the corrupted index catalog.