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Indexing Google Drive in Windows for Windows Search

Anonymous
2022-08-06T10:58:46+00:00

Google Drive is now mapped to "G Drive" and listed in Explorer. Google Drive is mirrored on my computer.

I want Windows to index the Google Drive files so I can use Windows search for my Google Drive, but I cannot add G drive to the Included Locations.

Any insights, workarounds, etc.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Cortana and search

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  1. Ramesh 176.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-08-20T14:27:10+00:00

    Please access "C:\Users%username%\My Drive" and see if you're able to index it. This is the mirror folder. This CAN be indexed.

    The other folder "C:\Users%username%\Google Drive Streaming\My Drive" applies for Streaming mode. This virtual folder or the virtual drive it points to, can't be indexed.

    To check which option you're using, open Google Drive sync client's preferences dialog.

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  2. Ramesh 176.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-08-20T11:47:25+00:00

    Hi Zvi,

    When Google Drive is configured in streaming mode, it creates a virtual drive or virtual folder. The virtual folder/drive can't be indexed because the files you see on the screen are stored in the Google Drive sync cache folder under a different/cryptic name (somewhat similar to how Recycle Bin stores the files) and have no extension. Only the Google Drive sync client knows how to translate the file names.

    There is no way you can add that virtual folder to the Indexing Options dialog.

    OTOH, if Google Drive sync is in Mirror files mode, you can index the local copies of the files.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-08-20T11:35:39+00:00

    Correct. The G: drive is not listed in the Windows indexing options. It is considered a network streaming drive, even though the files are actually on my computers hard drive.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-08-20T20:57:32+00:00

    Got it to work, finally! Thanks for your help.

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-08-20T14:17:31+00:00

    I am in Mirror mode- My Drive still goes to the G: drive, which is essentially a network drive. Not able to be indexed.

    When I try to move it to C: drive, doesn't permit.

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