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Forum Discussion

bwhight's avatar
bwhight
Helpful | Level 5
8 years ago

Smart Sync - Windows Explorer Search Not Working

I am testing Smart Sync for our team.  All fine but when files are 'Online Only', Windows Explorer search can't fined them.  I have tried a few PCs in our team and all have the same problem, so I don...
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  • Lucio's avatar
    Lucio
    7 years ago

    The Windows search functionality, that allows finding files set to online-only through the Smart Sync feature, is now available on computers with versions of Windows 8 and above, starting with the beta version 60.3 of the Dropbox desktop application that you can find here.

    When this is available in the stable version 60.4 next week, your computer should automatically update and receive the fix.

    Thanks to all that reported this and we appreciate your patience on this matter.

    Happy syncing!

Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

Hey LeeCujes, 

 
Welcome to the Dropbox Community, glad to work on that with you! 
 
It is my understanding that this has been a team-wide issue. Please keep in mind that, because SmartSynced files are indexed on your computer (they leave a placeholder), this shouldn’t have been occurring. To my mind, since you mention that it doesn’t affect all devices on your team, it’s OS-specific, therefore it has to do with the way your files are indexed locally. Just as a first troubleshooting step, could you please make sure that Dropbox is included on the indexing options of these devices (you may find more information if you run a google-search for it)? 
 
If this persists and obstructs functionality, I’d suggest that you raised a ticket with the team, describing the case and letting us know the users and devices that are affected. 
 
I’d be more than glad to troubleshoot this with you, if you send me a ticket ID in your reply!
 
Thanks in advance, 
JaneA

 

 

LeeCujes's avatar
LeeCujes
Helpful | Level 6
8 years ago

Thanks for your response JaneA.

 

I can confirm that Dropbox is included in the "Indexed Locations". I've confirmed the Windows 10 indexing options are the same as those on a machine which is searching as intended.

 

Further, I have rebuilt the search index from scratch - no result.

 

It is as though the "online only" stubs are invisible to Windows search on this machine.

 

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

Lee

 

 

    • Jane's avatar
      Jane
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      8 years ago

      Hey LeeCujes, 

       

      Thanks for your prompt reply and the screencast, much appreciated! 

       

      Please keep in mind that at the moment I can't load your screencast on my device, for security reasons, though, because I feel that we can figure out a solution together, I'd have to ask you to send it in to me on a ticket, where I could check the accounts of the affected members. Please write in to us and let me know a ticket ID here, so that I follow-up with you. 

       

      Thanks in advance for your cooperation, looking forward to hearing back from you! 

       

      Warm regards, 
      JaneA
      • stephanb's avatar
        stephanb
        Helpful | Level 6
        8 years ago

        This does not work on my end either. Windows 10. Is this supposed to work? i.e, is it supported? I can only search locally synced content that is indexed.

    • universlman's avatar
      universlman
      New member | Level 2
      8 years ago
      I have been struggling with this issue for years with XP & 7. This is the best description and demonstration by Lee that I have seen for a problem that is mostly bewildering the various communities, who mostly act like they do not really understand the problem. Why should searching in Google (the whole world) take a fraction of a second, and searching my hard drive in Windows takes up to ten minutes or more - and misses most files searched for - indexed or not??
      • peterlvilim's avatar
        peterlvilim
        Icon for Dropbox Engineer rankDropbox Engineer
        7 years ago

        Hey everyone!

         

        I'm an engineer at Dropbox. We are aware of an issue with Windows 10 that causes this behavior and are actively investigating it. Stay tuned here for updates.

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