Windows 10: Two instances of File Explorer Search results pointing to two different drives and paths -...

Windows 10 22H2 build 19045.3086I have two copies of photos on two separate drives, so two distinct paths: E:\scans\#Reflective\Wineway\TIF masters H:\Cthulhu\#scans\#Reflective\Wineway\TIF mastersI have two instances of Windows Explorer up, with identical Search selections, each pointing to the different drives within the \TIF masters directories.

:)

 

Sorting File Explorer Search output by Folder path


Possibly after editing, this may be useful as a tutorial -- but note the problem at the end ...
(sorting in Windows File Explorer may not always work correctly).

I tried to include all of the steps. I did not know how to capture a screen shot of the active
window while the Ribbon was present (to set the View to Details) and
while the context menu was visible (when right-clicking on one of the column headers).

In performing a search, I used the Search Box in File Explorer.
I don't let my PC access OneDrive or Google Docs -- generally,
I do only searches just on my PC or just on the Web.

1. Perform a search.

2. Set the View to Details (if it isn't already).





3. (if the Folder path column is not already present...)
Right-Click on any of the column headers.
A context menu appears.
4. Select More in the context menu.





A Choose Details dialog box appears.

(5. You can uncheck the box next to Folders - to get rid of the Folders column).





6. Check the box next to Folder path - to make the Folder path column appear (you'll have to scroll down to find it).
7. Then, click on the Ok box to dismiss the dialog box and save the changes to the Details View.





8. With the Folder path column now present, click on its column header to sort the listing by Folder path.
(The next picture shows the result after clicking on the Folder path column header.)





It is unfortunate that either Microsoft forces the search to be re-done or it was something they missed on their part.
If you want to sort the output using another column header (or reverse the sort order), each time you click on a column header, the search is re-done. Based on what I have read on doing searches in Windows 10, it's possible that Microsoft is currently placing more emphasis on searching using Cortana -- this may be why local file searches using File Explorer do not appear to work as well as they did in Windows 7.

Finally, if you take a closer look at the picture showing the final result, you'll note that the sorting did not work as expected (or at least as I expected). Thus, it appears that sorting in Windows File Explorer may not always work correctly. I have not thoroughly tested this, but there may be a strong dependence of ordering search results in File Explorer on what one uses to search on.

Eugenio

 

So there's no way to sort Explorer search results by path now?

Hi Martin. Here are suggestions for how to search Explorer by file path:

https://www.tenforums.com/customization/58032-s...

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/show-full-fo...

https://www.ybierling.com/en/blog-officeproduct...

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...

There may not be any other way, Who I would ask is MVP Shawn Brink who is usually the best expert for the subjects he writes about. You can contact hi in the Comments section of this Search tutorial:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/94452-searc...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

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File Explorer Search Question

Additional information to "properly" complete this task
(this post is for the original poster, and for future reference for others that come across this post):

The step that is mentioned in post #2 above disables that certain feature from listing the history of your search results, yet those search results that you posted in your picture, I highly believe, are still saved in your computer. (So if you undo the steps from post #2, your history will show up again.)

The best practices in a scenario like this is to also remove those search results (that are now hidden after following step #2).

What I would do:
1) Temporarily undo what you did from Step #2
2) Click in the search box, and place your mouse cursor on the first result. You will see an "X" on the right side. Here's an example of what mine currently looks like:



(as you can see, I placed my mouse cursor on the first result, to see that "X" on the right side of that history result)
3) Press that "X" button, to delete that search result from the history that the computer saved
4) The list will move upwards, removing that first result. The same thing will show for that next result.
5) Continue that same process until the list is cleared.
6) Keep note though! One this list is removed, press in that Search box again! It's possible that more results will show. If so, those next list of results are from even older. Sometimes Windows doesn't show every single item within that first list, so you must press the Search Box above again, in order for Windows to reload more of that list.
7) Continue this same process, if applies.
8) One there are no more items to list, then follow the same process from Step #2 above to go back to the new, history-disabled, method that you just did.

What I typed is pretty much a more "proper" way to approach this scenario, in order to avoid others figuring out a way to look at the history of your searches. My steps are not necessary, but would be more preferred if you want to completely remove your search history. It's your choice.