[Run] Allow for indexing of network drives

[zednotdead]

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

I store most of my media files on my SMB-attached server, it would be nice if I could search for those files via PowerToys Run. Somewhat related to #3976.

[crutkas]

This is more of #2041

Basically you need to enable indexer to search that drive.

[novahreal]

@crutkas
Unfortunately, it seems that the "Searching Windows" section of Windows 10 settings where you actually index folders, there is no way to enable the indexer to search any network drives.

I have many network drives mapped, but they do not show up for me to even select them to index. Since most files I would want to search are in various network drives, it renders PowerToys Run much less effective than desired.

[novahreal]

As I understand it, enhanced search doesn't handle mapped network drives at all. In Indexing options, it is completely impossible to add network drives which also means that #2041 didn't handle this specific issue. This is less of an issue and more of a feature request

[enricogior]

@novahreal
have you tried to assign a drive letter to the network drive?

[novahreal]

@enricogior
Yes, my network drives had drive letters assigned by default when I mapped them.

[enricogior]

@novahreal
ok , so this may be something that PT cannot workaround.

[novahreal]

if there's no way to get around it it kinda ruins PT run as I store most files externally. Hopefully a workaround can be done!

[haldi4803]

After googling for a while it seems there are two possibilities with Indexing a Network share.
A: Set a Checkbox and it works.
B: There is no chance it's ever gonna work.

If anyone has an update to this.
I'm currently using the driver letter to find files
O:\NetworkShare\Subfolder>mysearchedfile which DOES take some time and is quite a hassle to enter all the time.

[ExpensiveAvocado820]

I've employed a kind of workaround:
I made a new folder in '%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu' titled PT Shortcuts, then I started placing shortcuts to specific files from the network share that I knew I'd want to pull up from Run. They get indexed almost immediately. I pinned the folder to quick access so I can quickly add new shortcuts as I need them.