Error message when the Windows Search Indexer crashes on a Windows Vista-based Tablet PC that has Outlook installed: "Microsoft Windows Search Indexer stopped working and was closed"

On a Windows Vista-based Tablet PC that has Microsoft Office Outlook installed, the Windows Search Indexer crashes. When this issue occurs, you receive the following error message:When the Windows Search Indexer crashes, you cannot search in Outlook. In this situation, you must restart both the Windows Search Indexer and Outlook.

This issue occurs if an e-mail message is not handled correctly by the Handwriting Recognition Personalization feature on a Windows Vista-based Tablet PC. The Handwriting Recognition Personalization feature uses the Windows Search Indexer to scan sent messages in Outlook to compile a personal dictionary for the user. If the Handwriting Recognition Personalization feature does not handle an e-mail message correctly, the Handwriting Recognition Personalization feature and the Windows Search Indexer stop working.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, the computer must running one of the following:

• Windows Vista
• Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released hotfixes.

Registry information

To use this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, x86-based versions

Windows Vista SP1, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, x64-based versions

Windows Vista SP1, x64-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For help with Windows Search problems in Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft web page: