BAT file to restart WSearch service

[StuartR]

I need to stop and restart the Windows Search service on a laptop running Windows 10, so that it will index a disk drive that isn't present at boot time.

I can do this manually from the Services applet, by right clicking and choosing restart.

I tried a BAT file that simply has
NET STOP WSearch
NET START WSearch
(with a ping in between to add a bit of a delay).

This doesn't seem to work properly. Sometimes it says that it can't stop the service. Other times the stop seems to work, but the start says the service is already running.

The service startup is set to "Automatic (Delayed Start)", and this would be perfect if I could change the delay time, but I have no idea how to do that.

Any suggestions on the best way to proceed?

[Rudi]

Only a suggestion (based on a find to disable and enable (in stead of stop and start).
Whether this is helpful of not, or gives you a pointer to a solution, I dunno...but see here...

Addition:
...or here for comprehensive info (Win10 not mentioned though).

[Leif]

Anything here of use: Set Delay time for Startup programs in Windows 10/8/7?

Or here: Adjusting the Autostart (Delayed) start time?

[StuartR]

I should have just tried it.

When I ran the BAT file manually it gave the results I said. I just added it to task scheduler and it seems to be working fine. Life is strange.

[Rudi]

Now you can REALLY claim all the credit!

[StuartR]

[John Gray]

When I ran the BAT file manually it gave the results I said. I just added it to task scheduler and it seems to be working fine. Life is strange.

Possibly due to a difference in the accounts and/or privileges under which this ran?

[StuartR]

I was running the BAT file as Administrator. I suspect it is to do with the Autorestart feature in the Windows service manager. I have a feeling that the service doesn't really need to be restarted because Windows does that automatically when you stop it with Net Stop. This could also account for the command thinking it has failed, as it sees the service is still running.

[John Gray]

Maybe investigating some of the SC options (like SC STOP <servicename> then SC QUERY <servicename>) would assist in debugging? [Check the syntax!]

NET STOP/START is a bit of a do-it-and-hope method in comparison...

[StuartR]

Thank you John, I will look that up

[StuartR]

That was informative John. After SC stop Wsearch, I tried SC query WSearch very quickly a few times and the status was STOP PENDING for a very short time and then START PENDING and then RUNNING, which confirms my suspicion that it was auto-restarting very quickly

[John Gray]

SC can be very useful, but in BATch files one has to deal with the complicated output.
Glad it has brought enlightenment!

[StuartR]

In any case, I am a happy bunny because I can now index this transient disk drive.