search files and folders
Windows own indexing service does not index network drives by default
- even if you add the mapped drive in the Indexing Options
So, unfortunately, searching mapped network drives from Windows Explorer remains quite limited and slow compared to local drives. Microsoft doesn’t natively index remote shares for performance and security reasons.
What actually happens :
- When you search in a mapped network drive, Windows sends your query directly to the NAS via SMB. It basically scans folder by folder as needed, instead of searching an index.
- If you add a mapped drive to Windows Indexing Options, it may appear in the list, but unless you enable “Offline Files” (Windows feature), only the locally cached content will actually be indexed.
- Even with “Offline Files,” only files you’ve accessed and synced locally will be indexed—never the full NAS content unless everything is offline-synced, which isn’t practical for large shares.
Summary:
- Windows Search and Finder do not use the Universal Search database from Synology.
- When you search from Windows Explorer or macOS Finder, your computer will only list files and folders visible to your user account via the SMB/AFP/NFS protocol. They only show what the NAS actually shares and what your account has permission to see.
- Windows can only index files that are local or available offline.
- Fast search of all NAS files from File Explorer isn’t possible unless you use a third-party tool or a full sync solution.
If fast search is crucial:
- For most users, using DSM’s Universal Search via the web interface or Synology Drive Client (which syncs specific folders locally) is the most efficient method. The Synology Universal Search index is only used inside DSM (the web interface, File Station, and Synology apps)
- There are third-party solutions
