Windows 10: Unable to search for files on additional hard drives - Specifically where additional drives...

I have had this problem for countless months where Windows 10 refused to search my additional drives, despite them being indexed. The many steps to fix the problem, both in this community and others did not resolve the issue. If they did, it was always temporary eg. changing drive letter, rebuilding index, etc etc.


This has been my accidental solution.


I had long had the situation where in File Manager my 2 additional drives D:\ and E:\ were listed twice in the navigation pane. Once within the "My PC" section and then again immediately after the "My PC" section the drives were listed individually. So D:\ and E:\ drives were listed twice. I wondered if this was by design as both D:\ and E:\ were inside my PC case, and not removable per se.


I found this solution in the Microsoft community:


https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...vigation/2f552156-ce5b-49e9-b205-7723fff80f74


I used the 32-bit solution even though I have a 64-bit version. The solution I was following at the time was from another community, but basically the same.

Whilst this solution did not resolve the Search problem immediately, I decided to "Delete and rebuild index" in the Advanced Options of the Indexing Options.


My file searches are now returned with files previously none and it has remained so after a few days previously it was temporary.


I hope this helps other users who have failed file searches AND additional drives listed in the navigation pane of File Manager.


Note: The Registry key that was deleted is as follows:-


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders]


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\DelegateFolders\{F5FB2C77-0E2F-4A16-A381-3E560C68BC83}]

@="Removable Drives"

:)

 

Stored files in Hard Drive

You can use Windows search. Just search for *.* on a desired drive. When list is done just arrange them by size LOL.

You can do it via command line as well and make an output text file showing files and their sizes (but without arrangement)

 

External Hard Drive

Hi John,

We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

• Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
• Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.

The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

Let us know if you need further help.

 

Additional Drive of 256MB

Today I have seen that a additional drive of 256MB created in my laptop having Window 10 .Is this a virus ?

I because I did not created it before !!

how can I remove it I run troubleshoot but it is in effective.

pls suggest me some option to remove it

Thank you