I want to search my local hard disks and my removable USB thumb drives while excluding my Google Drive (G:). I’m trying to search using an explorer window using the search box (F3). My location bar is set to My PC.
What I’ve tried:
(a) unindexing the G: drive. I’ve checked my Search Indexing options and the G: drive is not included.
(b) excluding the folder in the “Searching Windows” options (launched from Win+S ; windows search options). In the Excluded Folders section, I click the the Add and excluded folder button and select the G: folder (I’ve also tried a subfolder in there) and then the folder doesn’t get added to the list. If I try adding a folder on a different drive (C:Source) it shows up in the list.
I’m guessing the solution would be some special search syntax involving the path and Not. Anyone know how to do this?
Thanks in advance!
UPDATE: after checking my indexed locations, I’m still seeing bad search results. But I believe I’ve got the answer. Currently, my search index is being rebuilt. With the G: drive excluded. At this point:
When I try the search query: size:>1000000 ext: mp4 path: NOT g:*
I get results only on the C: drive as pictured here
But when I try the search query: size:>1000000 ext: mp4
I get results on the C: and G: drive as pictured here
search_results_including_C_and_G
I think that Google Drive for Desktop has special behavior that makes itself included in the explorer search, despite indexing options and Windows Search Excluded Folders options, and can only be excluded in the query string.
