How to Rebuild the File Explorer Search Index Without Removing Locations on Windows 11

File Explorer search stops returning results or returns outdated files on Windows 11. This happens when the search index becomes corrupted or outdated. Rebuilding the index normally removes all indexed locations, forcing you to re-add them manually. This article explains how to rebuild the search index while keeping your custom indexed locations intact. Key Takeaways: … Read more

Why the Classic Right-Click Menu Disappears After a Feature Update on Windows 11

After a feature update on Windows 11, you may notice that the classic right-click menu no longer appears. Instead, the new compact context menu shows only a few basic options and hides the full menu under “Show more options.” This change occurs because Windows 11 feature updates reset certain registry settings that control which context … Read more

Fix TreeSize Reporting a Different Size Than Disk Properties on Windows 11

When you compare the folder or file size shown by TreeSize with the size shown in Windows 11 Disk Properties, you often see a discrepancy. This difference can be several megabytes or even gigabytes, which creates confusion about which tool is accurate. The mismatch typically occurs because TreeSize and Windows Explorer count files in fundamentally … Read more

How to Detect Hidden NTFS Attributes Like Sparse and Compressed on Windows 11

Windows 11 uses NTFS file attributes to manage data efficiently, but some attributes like Sparse and Compressed are hidden from File Explorer by default. These attributes reduce disk space usage for specific file types, such as virtual hard disks or log files, but they can cause confusion when you try to understand actual disk usage. … Read more

Fix OneDrive Dehydrate Command Leaving Some Files Local on Windows 11

You run the OneDrive dehydrate command expecting all synced files to become cloud-only placeholders, but some files remain marked as “Always keep on this device.” This happens when the command cannot override files with explicit local-pin settings or files in a blocked folder. OneDrive’s dehydrate operation respects per-file and per-folder attributes that you or an … Read more

How to Compute SHA-256 Hash From PowerShell Without Importing a Module on Windows 11

You need to verify the integrity of a downloaded file or check a checksum on Windows 11. PowerShell offers a built-in way to compute SHA-256 hashes without installing or importing any external modules. This article explains how to use the native Get-FileHash cmdlet and the underlying .NET classes to generate SHA-256 hashes directly from the … Read more

Fix Search in File Explorer Returning Stale Results After Indexing Pause

Quick fix: File Explorer Search shows stale results when the Search Indexer is paused or behind. Resume indexing: open Control Panel → Indexing Options, check if it’s paused, and click Resume. If results stay stale, rebuild the index via Advanced → Rebuild. You search for a file you know exists. File Explorer returns old results … Read more