8

Using webdrive to mount external SSH/SFTP points, whenever I do a search using File Explorer / Search on Computer, explorer starts to scan these drives as well. Since I have a full ubuntu server mounted as a drive, this results in the whole server's content being downloaded, for a single search.

This is clearly suboptimal.

Tried already:

  • Right click / properties on the webdrive does not offer the usual "Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed"
  • Search index does not lists the webdrives, and windows in fact does not indexes these locations -it's only file explorer, which rampages through the server
  • Even disconnecting the webdrive results in re-mounting it automatically.

In what ways can I not have File Explorer not touch any network locations, ever?

Many thanks!

2 Answers 2

1
+50

Disable search on network drive when doing full computer search

I don't have answer to that. So far I don't see such option.

Disable indexing

In theory, indexing enable search to return result faster. Disable indexing on those drive potentially make the search on them slower. However, not sure how effective indexing is on network drive.

Search without touching network drive

  1. Workaround - Search Specific Drive

    It is possible to do that and not complicated.

    1. Open File Explorer
    2. On left panel, expend Computer, select any drive below it (DO NOT select in the right panel)
    3. Enter search term in search box and start searching
    4. File Explorer will only perform search on the selected drive

    For example, if C: drive is selected, then only C: drive will be searched.

    If there are more than one local drive and you want to search all of them, it become multi-step process.

  2. Workaround - Library Folder

    1. Open File Explorer
    2. On left panel, right click on Libraries, select New, select Library
    3. Rename the New Library to Local Drives (or anything you like)
    4. Right click on library Local Drives, select Properties
    5. In Prperties windows, click Add... and add all local drives into the library

    Whenever you need to search all local drives, select Local Drives under Libraries on the left panel (again, NOT the right panel), enter search item. It will search only drives added in Local Drives.

5
  • Having 9 volumes spanning 3 physical drives mounted under different labels makes this an undesirable option -esp since the intent of my search was universal access to local files. Jan 24, 2013 at 17:05
  • That is a lot of drive ... letters!!
    – John Siu
    Jan 24, 2013 at 17:22
  • Added a 2nd workaround, should be much more convenient for everyday use.
    – John Siu
    Jan 25, 2013 at 2:02
  • I guess that works, upvoted. Will give a day or two to see if there are any other takers, will award bounty otherwise. Jan 25, 2013 at 18:26
  • sure no problem :)
    – John Siu
    Jan 25, 2013 at 20:02
0

An indirect answer : Don't use the Windows search, as there are much better free products around which are not as broken as that of Windows.

Here are a couple :

Everything search engine
Ultra-quick selective search on NTFS volumes. Can select the volumes to index. May start with Windows and place an icon on the taskbar.

FileLocator Lite
Non-indexed search by many possible criteria.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .