What is index search in Windows 10?

This is the process of searching the contents of the computer’s hard drives and e-mails. To do so, it makes use of the information they contain as text or metadata. After performing indexing on a location, it will improve search results. Therefore, when you perform a specific search, it will offer a result of everything it contains. By default, file properties, names, paths, and text content for documents will be indexed. Information about applications is also integrated. So, by having a digital index with file indexing, it will be easier to find what we are looking for.

Which files are indexed

Windows does not include all files in the search index. Let’s see what they are:

• Files included in the Library (Documents, images, etc.)
• Offline files
• E-mails

Files out of the indexing list:

• Program files
• System files
• Other new folders

How to index Windows 10 files

Let’s see how to activate this function. With this in mind, press the Win+Q combination to go to the search. Once there, enter the word indexing. Please click on Indexing Options.

Then the indexing options control box opens. As you can see, not many folders are added. So, to add a new element, please click on the Modify button.

Immediately, the list of files and folders to add appears. Consequently, you only have to check them. This time, we will add the test and link folders on the C drive. You can see how folders are added to the list. Please press OK to start the process.

As you can see, the number of indexed files is increasing. This means that the indexing process has started. In addition, the system warns that the user’s activity has slowed down the indexing speed. It is also possible to pause the process and enter the advanced options.

As mentioned, we can enter the advanced options. There, several options related to the search index are shown. In fact, we will be able to modify the path where the indexes will be located. In the tab File types we can define which extensions will be indexed.

The search settings are saved in an .edb file. This file has a default location. Let’s see what it is:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows

Simply paste this address in the file explorer. As a result, we will see the file.

How to disable indexing Windows 10

It is possible that at some point you may wish to disable search indexing. Let’s see how to do it. The first thing you need to do is to log in to Windows Services. With this intention, press the Win+Q combination. Now in the search box, please type Services and click on the corresponding option.

Consequently, the services running on Windows 10 will be displayed. Please scroll down until you find the service called Windows Search. Next we will enter the options for this service. To do so, just double-click on it. Or right click and then select Properties.

In the Startup type option you have to choose Disabled so that Windows Search does not index any more items. It is also possible to stop the service by clicking Stop.

Please note the types of files you add to be indexed. Indeed, this can have a negative impact on the search process. If, for example, you add program files, then the search will be too slow. So, it is counterproductive, since the purpose is to speed up the search, not to slow it down.

How to index network folders in Windows 10

It is also possible to add network folders to the Windows 10 search index. We probably have shared folders within the local network. Therefore, at some point we will need to access them. To add shared folders to the search index, we will do the following:

• Network folder sharing
• Map the network drive

Next, open the file explorer. With this in mind, press the Win+E combination. Next, click on the Network section. As a result, we will see the shared folder. Finally, right-click to go to the properties. Finally, click on Map network drive:

In the next window, configure the following items:

• Select the assigned letter.
• Activate the automatic login: Reconnect at login.
• Activate Connect with other credentials.

When you press finish, you will see the unit available at the network location. Please right-click on the mouse to enter the properties.

Please check the box corresponding to allow the files on the drive to have their contents indexed.

Now, when you perform a search, you can see that the network folder has been included in the Windows 10 indexing.

How to rebuild the search index of Windows 10

Occasionally, the search returns an error or problem. As a result, it can be frustrating. Don’t worry, it can be solved. Just rebuild the search index. With this intention, we have to enter again the advanced indexing options. Please refer to the previous sections to verify the steps. Once there, just click on the Rebuild option.

The system will then warn you that the process may take some time. However, it is worth the wait. Therefore, press OK to start the process.

Ultimately, we have seen how to index the search in Windows 10. An effective measure to speed up searches in the system. See you soon!

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How to create a shared folder in Windows Server 2019/2016

The first thing you have to do is right-click on the folder. Then go to Properties.

Then, click on Advanced Sharing.

Then check the Share this folder box and assign a name for the resource. You can also limit the number of users who can access the folder.

How to view shared folders in Windows Server 2019/2016. Using the file explorer.

Through the file explorer it is possible to access multiple resources. It is also possible to access shared folders. However, before doing so it is necessary to make a configuration. With this intention it follows the following path: Control Panel>Network and Internet>Network and Sharing Center>Advanced Sharing Center. Once there, you must check two boxes: Turn on network detection and Turn on file and printer sharing.

Now you must go to the file browser. Now you only have to click on Network. And then, you will have access to the shared resources.

How to view shared folders using the Run command.

Using this command it is possible to access various server settings. To view the shared folders, please press the Win+R combination and run the following command:

fsmgmt.msc

Pressing enter will open an MMC console. Once there, a series of important information is displayed. For example, name, location and type of share. In addition to active connections and their description.

How to view shared folders on Windows Server using CMD.

It is also possible to access the CMD console to view shared folders. Once the command prompt is displayed, please run the following command:

net share

As you can see, we will get the name of the share on the server. In addition to the path and description assigned. On the other hand, to remotely access a shared folder, please use the following syntax:

net view \\computer /all

How to view shared folders using Windows PowerShell in Windows Server 2019/2016.

It is also possible to access these resources from PowerShell. With this intention, run the following command:

Get-WmiObject -class Win32_Share

To view the shared resources of a computer on the domain network, please run the following syntax:

Get-WmiObject -class Win32_Share -computer COMPUTERNAME

How to view shared folders using Server Manager.

This is a central administrator that allows you to manage multiple aspects of the server. To see the shared folders please click on File and Storage Services.

Then click on Shared. There you will see the shared folders on the server.

In this way we have analyzed how to view shared folders in Windows Server 2019/2016. In addition, there are several methods at your convenience. Bye!

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How to create a shared folder in Windows Server 2019

The first thing we have to do is create a new folder inside the server. This folder will function as a file server. Once created, you need to enter its properties. Next, go to the Sharing tab. Additionally, click on Advanced Sharing

In the next window, check the box corresponding to Share this folder. It is also possible to limit the number of simultaneous users in the folder. Press accept to continue.

From the same window, click on the Permissions menu. In this way, we will modify the access permissions of the folder. In the first place, remove the Everyone user group. This is done for security. In addition, click on the Add menu.

Then choose the group of users you want to have access to the folder:

For the purposes of this example, we have selected the Domain Users. Then give it read and write permission in the folder. This guarantees full access to the files by the selected users.

After applying the changes, press OK to set them. In the same way, the access path for the client machines is shown. With these steps, the folder for the file server has already been correctly configured. To check its functionality, simply log in from any client computer. Then access the newly created folder.

Configuring the file server in Windows Server 2019.

Next, we will manage the file server in Windows Server 2019. With this in mind, please enter the Server Dashboard and from the left menu select File and Storage Services.

In the next window click on Shares. Immediately view the shared folder:

Then double click on the folder to enter the properties of the folder. In this menu go to the Settings section. Additionally, click on the first option corresponding to Enable acces-based enumeration. This option allows users to only see the folders that have permission to be edited, the ones that are read-only will be hidden. This configuration is very useful to protect the privacy of the folders.

Adding the File Server Resource Manager

This function is enabled from the Server Dashboard. Specifically with the Add roles and features wizard. If you want to know how to do it, I invite you to check our post about IIS in Windows Server 2019. In this case, choose Server Roles. Then scroll down to File and Storage Services. Then check the box File Server Resources Manager.

Press next and wait while the wizard enables the resource.

Access to the File Server Resources Manager.

To access the recently created tool, please open the Server Dashboard. Now open the Tools menu and select it.

Immediately the menu will be displayed with the different options.

Some options shown in the window are as follows:

• Quota manager: this option allows you to define a space limit for users to add files to the shared folder. Consequently, the capacity of the disk on the server is not affected.
• File Screening Manager: This option allows access to a series of templates where elements such as executable files, video, audio, etc. are blocked.

Conclusion

Ultimately we have seen how to enable the file server in Windows Server 2019. With this option we give the ability to the clients of the server, to enter the desired data. In addition, it is possible to control the quota, size and amount of information available. All right, that’s it for the moment. See you later.

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Mapping a drive means that you want permanent access to a shared folder created on another computer. Windows OS will assign a drive letter to the network drive and it can be accessed just like any other local drive connected to your computer.

Mapping network drives with group policy preference is very easy and it does not require any scripting knowledge. Also, We can use item-level targeting to map drives based on specific conditions like group membership, OU, operating system, etc.

In this example,  We will use item-level targeting so it only maps the network drive for users who are a member of the specific security group.

For this guide already I have created.
Two users with the name HR User1 and HR User2
One security group name HRUsers. (HR User 1 is a member of this security group)

One shared folder on a domain controller (\\WD19DC1\HR Data)

Step:1 Create a group policy object to map a network drive:
Open the Group Policy Management Console.

In the Group Policy Management Console, right-click on group policy objects and select new.

Specify a proper name (Map Network Drive using Group Policy Preference GPO) to the new group policy object.

On the group policy object right-click and select the edit option.

Navigate to User Configuration → Preferences → Windows Settings → Drive Maps.

Right Click Drive Maps, Select New –> Mapped Drive.

On “General” tab specify the details as below:
Action: Create.
Location: \\WD19DC1\HR Data.
Label as: HR Data.
Use: H. (This is going to be the drive letter)

On “Common” tab. Select “Run in logged-on user’s security context and item-level targeting check boxes. Click on targeting button.

Click on New Item. Select “Security Group” and then select the security group you want to target.

Click on ok button. (In our case it will be HRUsers security group).

Click on Apply and ok button to close the new drive properties.

This completes the GPO settings. Close group policy management editor console.

Step:2 Link group policy object:
In the Group Policy Management Console, right-click on the Domain/OU where you want to link the group policy object.

Select “Link an existing GPO”. Select the GPO (In our case it will be Map Network Drive GPO).
Click on ok button.

Step:3 Test the result:
On the client computer, Login with the user who is a member of HRUsers security group that we have added in the item-level targeting to verify that our policy of mapping drive using Item Level Targeting GPO is deployed or not.

Verify that mapped drive using item-level targeting is deployed successfully by accessing the mapped drive naming HR Data (H) .

Log off from user account HR Users1 and log in as an HR user2 (who is not a member of HRUsers security group).

Verify that mapped drive is not present under file explorer.

It works perfectly fine for us.
Now, any user we put in the HRUsers security group will get this mapped drive.

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