By default, in Windows 11/10/7 and Windows Server, the search function, from the Start Menu search box, does not search libraries that are not indexed. Even if you do try, you will notice that the search result does not include libraries that are not indexed. As a result, you will not be able to use the Start menu’s Search box, to search for files that are stored on network locations.
Search unindexed Libraries & Network Location files from Start search
If you want to add this functionality, you will have to apply and download a hotfix from KB2268596 and apply it. This hotfix will add the functionality to search libraries that are not indexed from the Search programs and files box on the Start menu.
To enable this functionality, you will have to create a registry subkey after you install this hotfix.
To do this, open regedit and navigate to the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SearchPlatform\Preferences
Now in the right panel, right-click and select New > DWORD Value.
Name it EnableSearchingSlowLibrariesInStartMenu and give it a value of 1.
Click OK and exit Registry Editor.
If you want to disable the functionality of searching libraries that are not indexed, set the value of the EnableSearchingSlowLibrariesInStartMenu registry entry to 0.
How can you search for files in a Library?
To search for a file in any Library folder, you have two options. First, you can open the specific Library folder and search for the file using the Search bar included in File Explorer. Second, you can use the Taskbar search box to search for the file in all Library folders at once.
Why are files not showing up?
There could be various reasons why files are not showing up in the Taskbar search box in Windows 11/10. For that, you need to check the Search Indexing settings first. If a folder or file is excluded from being appeared in the search result, you cannot find it anywhere using any search.
Let us know if this worked for you.