Can't Search Custom Indexed Folders


  1. Posts : 75
    21H1 (19043.1415)
       #1

    Can't Search Custom Indexed Folders from Start


    I have a few folders located at the root of C: and D: that I've added to the search index. Unlike folders located in my user directory, these custom folders are apparently being excluded from searches. Is there anything I can do to make these folders searchable?
    Last edited by Michael; 19 Feb 2016 at 14:21.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 564
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1
       #2

    Did you rebuild the index after you added the folders?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 75
    21H1 (19043.1415)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Just tried that, and it didn't seem to make a difference.
    Last edited by Michael; 19 Feb 2016 at 14:04.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Hi, in Indexing Options, in Control Panel, observe that the number of indexed items changes pretty quickly when you add an item to your new hopefully indexed folder. If not, you know there's a problem there before you start trying to search.

    When you search, make sure explorer is set up to search the correct range.
    That is, it's pointing to a folder or disk or you entire PC encompassing what you wish to search for, and if relevant, subfolders are included.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #5

    I have relocated my user folders back and forth from C to D on the same disk and the search will not work for items on D. When I relocate them back to C they do.

    I have rebuilt my index dozens of times. I can find them searching through explorer and I can find them searching through "Search my stuff"

    Unless I'm missing something fundamental the search only finds things on C whereas in Windows 8.x it found things on any internal partition.

    No-one gives a toss about other search programs - that isn't the question. The question asked here was does the search find things outside its limits even if you define them and rebuild the index..

    Unless I'm completely and utterly mistaken, no it doesn't.

    For example: Program files (.exe) not found by Windows Search - Windows 10 Forums

    They are in the index and you can find them through other front ends (even the old Window 8 search which is still there) but the Windows 10 will not show it.

    I suggest you add a "me-too" on the Microsoft Feedback App as it is a known issue (and possibly design rather than bug).
    Last edited by lx07; 19 Feb 2016 at 07:44.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    lx07 said:

    Unless I'm missing something fundamental the search only finds things on C whereas in Windows 8.x it found things on any internal partition.

    The question asked here was does the search find things outside its limits even if you define them and rebuild the index..

    Unless I'm completely and utterly mistaken, no it doesn't.

    .
    Hi, I just created a test folder on H: with subfolders and some docts.
    I added that test folder to the search index in Indexing Options.
    Immediately the number of indexed items increased appropriately, and search found those items very quickly.

    @lxo7: did you ever try explicitly adding the new location of your user folders to Indexing Options after relocating them?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 75
    21H1 (19043.1415)
    Thread Starter
       #7

    dalchina said:
    search found those items very quickly
    And it found these when searching from Start? That's my goal. I just want whatever files I've indexed to be readily accessible with a quick search.
    Last edited by Michael; 19 Feb 2016 at 14:31.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    Can't Search Custom Indexed Folders-search.png
    On the right you can see doc-3.txt in a folder on H:
    On the left, a Cortana 'My Stuff' search result.
    What the other two results are doing there, I've no idea.

    Note that the Cortana My stuff search ONLY finds indexed info in my experience.

    (Classic Shell does this with fewer clicks - and ONLY found exactly doc-3 - which is what I searched for).
    (And yes, that's Win 10 with a Win 7 orb, transparency, colour...)
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 75
    21H1 (19043.1415)
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Ah, I see. You have to hit "search my stuff" and go to that secondary search page. This is not the case with files located in my user directory, which come up immediately in the main search window. It would be Ideal if we could have this behavior for all indexed files, but I can work with this. Thanks for clarifying.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #10

    Classic Shell is 1 click and find-as-you-type. Much simpler! But still only indexed results.
      My Computers


 

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