What's the fastest way to serach an external HDD?

Searching the net, I am seeing one way to search a connected external HDD would involve spotlight having to "index" the external drive, is there a shorter way like in a windows pc you simply connect the external, select it in My Computer and enter your search in the search bar?

With the external HDD connected to the machine, open up Finder. Click on the external HDD under the Devices section and then use the search bar there and type your search words. You should then be given the option between "This Mac" and "<Name of your external HDD>"..

cool, got it, thanks!