How prevent Win10 File Explorer from Searching folder or disk?

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Running Windows 10 Pro x64 ver 1903

As I move away from my old system with Windows 7 Pro, I am noting more differences with the Windows 10 File Explorer functions.

Pls note I am not asking about Indexing, but how to make a setting to keep File Explorer itself from searching a specified folder or specific disk/partition.

I note that the Windows 7 Windows Explorer had a Folder Options > Search tab option to Include or Exclude subfolders when searching that could be set, but this seems to be only available on the File Explorer Search bar after a search is selected and only for that search.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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I go to the location I want to search then type in the search box.

What are you attempting to do?

cheers, Paul

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For my work I have legal and other docs on a second partition on a second hard drive.

I don’t want anyone who may have casual access to that computer to be able to “search”  that partition.

I can keep it from being indexed but the search in the Taskbar or in File Manager will search all drives and partitions on the computer.

There was an option in Windows 7 that at least could be checked to prevent searching within subfolders, but that option is not available in Windows 10 to set in advance and make it a permanent setting (vs per search).

So is there something I can set that would stop searching of designated disks, partitions, or folders?

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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Can you not simply use permissions (folder properties, under security tab)?

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b

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What do you mean ‘casual access’. Surely the PC is password protected and you lock it when you leave it (even for a minute or two). This should stop ‘casual access’. Better to stop people getting on your PC. I’m assuming that your second hard drive is internal not external.

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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Tex265 wrote:

For my work I have legal and other docs on a second partition on a second hard drive.

I don’t want anyone who may have casual access to that computer to be able to “search”  that partition.

I can keep it from being indexed but the search in the Taskbar or in File Manager will search all drives and partitions on the computer.

There was an option in Windows 7 that at least could be checked to prevent searching within subfolders, but that option is not available in Windows 10 to set in advance and make it a permanent setting (vs per search).

So is there something I can set that would stop searching of designated disks, partitions, or folders?

How to Hide Folders / Files from Search Results in Windows 10

https://www.top-password.com/blog/tag/exclude-folder-from-search-windows-10/

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Alex5723 wrote:

How to Hide Folders / Files from Search Results in Windows 10 https://www.top-password.com/blog/tag/exclude-folder-from-search-windows-10/

Tex265 wrote:

Pls note I am not asking about Indexing, but how to make a setting to keep File Explorer itself from searching a specified folder or specific disk/partition.

Well, that’s what I thought also but the non-indexed folders don’t show up on the Taskbar Search, but the Taskbar Search offers to search File Explorer.  And anything in File Explorer seems to be searchable – files, folders, drives, partitions, extensions.

So still looking for an answer without having to password lock my system every time I step away for a few minutes.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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Tex265 wrote:

So still looking for an answer without having to password lock my system every time I step away for a few minutes.

Please reconsider – you have work-related documents, etc. on your computer and people in your home that you don’t trust not to sort through them. Even if you successfully block the search function, someone can still just scroll through folders at will unless you lock things down.

For your sake and your company’s sake, just Windows-L when you get up, and key in your password when you return. It’s an easy habit to get into and it really isn’t that inconvenient.

You’re the admin of your system – it’s up to you to lock out the non-admins, and it’s an easy thing to do.

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access-mdb

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Thanks for everyone’s concern and comments, but everyone is taking my request way too seriously per my original request:

Tex265 wrote:

I don’t want anyone who may have casual access to that computer to be able to “search” that partition.

All I want to accomplish is to have specific folders or sub-folders or entire partition (any of these restrictions would work for me) not searchable via File Explorer. (ie: I don’t want another casual user of the system to “stumble” upon Eddie College Fund while searching for Eddie shopping list).  Others need to utilize this system so locking everyone out won’t work.

Tex265 wrote:

So still looking for an answer without having to password lock my system every time

 

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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Tex265 wrote:

All I want to accomplish is to have specific folders or sub-folders or entire partition (any of these restrictions would work for me) not searchable via File Explorer.

As far as I know, there is no protection that will prevent access to your folders/partitions if you leave your PC logged on for your user name when you’re away from it.  There is no way for Windows to know that it isn’t you at the PC if you leave it logged on in your user name.

For the folders/partitions that you wish to protect, open File Explorer, right-click on the folder/partition, and select the Security tab.  Everyone will be listed in the Group or user names box.   Next, click Edit, then click Add.  Add your own user name in the Enter the object names to select box, then click Check Names.  Your user name will be replaced with the system specific user name.  Click OK.

You will be back at the Permissions dialog box.  Click on your user name, then put a tick in the Allow box for everything.  Click Apply, then Click OK.  You’ll be back at the Properties sheet for the folder/partition.  Now click the Advanced button. and the Advanced Security Settings for the folder/partition will open.  Click Disable inheritance, then select the top option, Convert inherited permissions into specific permissions for this object.  Click Apply, then OK.

Back in the Permissions box for the folder/partition, click on Everyone, then click the Remove button.  Then click Apply, then OK.  Then OK the Properties box to close it.

Now only your user name has permission to access that folder/partition.

Again, the only way this will protect your folders/partitions is to either logoff or Lock the PC when you leave it.  As long as your user name is logged on, anyone who comes along when you’re not around has your permissions if they start perusing your PC.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

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Have you considered PW protecting just the folders/files you want prying eyes (even accidental eyes) away from?

I found this possible solution, one I didn’t know about, it might help solve your problem.

If you’ve got files you’d rather others couldn’t access, locking them up with a password can be the simplest way to get peace of mind. Windows has built-in support for basic password protection, letting you keep your files safe from prying eyes.

anon51

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Thanks again all for the suggestions, but I was hoping for an easy way like in Windows 7

Tex265 wrote:

Windows 7 Windows Explorer had a Folder Options > Search tab option to Include or Exclude subfolders when searching that could be set, but this seems to be only available on the File Explorer Search bar after a search is selected and only for that search

Windows 7 had the option to Include or Exclude subfolders from the search options block. The selection was available to set universally and it was retained until deselected. When set, no subfolders would be searched via Windows Explorer.  Super easy

Windows 10, File Explorer has this setting but it is not an up front, retained setting. It is available for selection only after a search is implemented and lasts only for that search.  Both conditions make the process useless compared to Windows 7/File Explorer way.

Windows 10 Pro x64 v22H2 and Windows 7 Pro SP1 x64 (RIP)

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Wouldn’t the use of a second (or third) Standard User account work?  Of course, you would have to log in and out of your business/professional account when you are doing serious work, and log into your *leisure* account for everything else.  As far as I know, Standard User accounts can’t peek into other accounts files without the admin password.  And Search is limited to that account’s files.  That’s how I have set up a machine two of my family members share the use of, that way, one is not encroaching on the other’s privacy without some mental exertion beyond “casual.”

One “drawback” that I note concerns UWP apps.  It becomes possible you will have multiple instances of one app, for instance, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, because, as far as I know, the platform has no concept of a “shared across accounts” UWP app.  So you might have a space issue sooner by going with such a separation of accounts because of multiple copies of the same app(s) living on your system hard drive/SSD.

Under Windows 10, I would think it is the easiest thing to do, as far as keeping “serious” files separate from “leisure” files.  On my personal computer, I too came from Win7, briefly detouring through Win8…after a handful of months, I stopped grousing about not being able to access EVERY app from EVERY account, as I was already used to only doing “administrative” things like pausing and restarting services, as well as setting up network shares from only my Administrative account, and doing everything else, like paying bills, text chat, playing games, authoring articles and papers, etc., while in a different Standard User account.  In fact, I am so used it it now, I’m at the point of wincing when I run into a game I want to try, but I have to run it with my Admin credentials after installation.  That just screams at me as “BAD JUJU!!”, to have to play a game only after entering my administrative creds.

I don’t know if this is a palatable answer, but I find the “different account for different things” approach totally sensible now.  And as I noted before, when I run a search in my Standard User account, I don’t pick up things in a different account’s folders.  There have been times I wish it did, but it doesn’t.

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