Windows 10: Hide files from quick access search? indexing problems

I'm at my wit's end. I've spent hours trying to *actually* hide some files, but it's not working. For some reason they still appear in the quick access search, even though I have indexing for them turned off. Nothing I do works. The weird thing is they only appear in the quick access search, but nowhere else.

:)

 

Quick access (File Explorer) fails to search Pictures folder

• Quick access contains the folders: Documents, Music, Pictures, Video
• On the right side of the window, there is a Quick access search field. Entering a search will find matching files in 3 folders but not matching files in the Pictures folder.
• If I navigate directly to the Pictures folder then the search will work.
• I’d like to fix where ever the problem is – with Quick access or the Pictures folder – and have QA searches work on all 4 folders.

I’ve tried re-indexing / rebuilding the index and several other things, but the problem still remains. Crossing my fingers that someone here will post the much-hoped for solution!

 

Quick Access not searching Pictures folder

Summary, that last suggestion didn't work.

• I moved the pictures to another folder temporarily.

• Then I tried to remove the Pictures folder with option one at Add or Remove Folders from This PC in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials. Even after rebooting, the Pictures folder remained.
• So I tried using option two. Same thing: reboot >> Pictures folder still there.

• Since there were no troubleshooting steps for this scenario, just for the heck of it, I ran through the restore steps. Copied some pictures into the Pictures folder, ran a Quick Access search and initial problem remains: Searching all of QA doesn't find any files in Pictures folder, running search on just the Pictures folder does. I want to run a global search and find matching files in any/all of the Documents, Music, Videos, and Pictures folders.

That article dates from 2015 and I'm guessing is out of date. I hope it didn't create potential future problems in my registry.

Bottom line: I'm still looking for a fix.

 

Windows 10 Quick Search Not Showing Indexed Locations

Hi,

Since you have already added it in Indexing options, we suggest you to run Indexing troubleshooter to check for possible caused of the issue. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Press Windows key.
• Type Troubleshooting.
• On the left pane, click View all.
• Click Search and Indexing.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Let us know how it goes.