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I was looking for a file in my Downloads folder (i.e. C:\Users\QM\Downloads) on my Win 10 Pro (build 1809) machine. I was unable to find it there even though I was near certain that's where it was.
So I next typed the filename into the Search box. It did show up there and I could open it, etc.
However, when (in the app) I selected Show enclosing folder it said the file was in C:\Users\QM\Searches\Downloads. So I went to that directory and the file was indeed there -- and so were a whole bunch of other files that I know were in my Downloads directory but aren't anymore.
So does Win 10 search or indexing actually move files? If so, is there something special about Downloads or will it do that for other folders? And is there any way to control this move files behavior?
(If it matters, I am not using Cortana.)
QuantumMechanic
Posted 2019-05-26T02:56:51.007
Reputation: 215
The
– Frank Thomas – 2019-05-26T09:04:43.520%user_profile%\searchesdirectory stores saved searches, as described here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/search/-search-savedsearchfileformat Note however that if Downloads is a saved search, it is a virtual folder, so I believe the data it shows is actually the result of a query defined in the search saved as "Downloads". for instance I have one called "Indexed Locations", and when I open it, it appears to have every file on my system in it. I note that it is possible to copy files to the Searches folder though. could have just been an accident.There is definitely a separate, real
C:\Users\QM\Downloadsfolder. I just cut & pasted everything fromSearches\Downloadsinto the realDownloadsfolder. There were no duplicates, so it wasn't likeSearches\Downloadswas full of pointers orC:\Users\QM\Downloadswas any sort of virtual thing. I'll be keeping an eye on this and seeing if files move back out of the realDownloadsintoSearches\Downloads– QuantumMechanic – 2019-05-26T17:02:57.990