external drives

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I have several external drives with a variety of files on them for safe keeping.
when trying to do a search on an external drive...it will not work for me.
the external drive shows all files and folders etc.

but when I try to do a search of all of the external drive or even 1 large folder,
the search goes to my MacBook drive...
I tried clicking on external drive again and it shows it is looking at hit
but still the search goes back to hard drive

don't want to go into each folder and search for file as there is a lot of data there.

there must be something I am doing wrong.
I have had this problem in the past and not sure what is happening.
can anyone help.
 
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In the Finder window, go to Finder > Preferences > Advanced, and select Search the Current Folder for "When performing a search:".
 
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lori5060
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Tried this but only gives me option to search this Mac....l and not the external drive I have plugged in.
 
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Tried this but only gives me option to search this Mac....l and not the external drive I have plugged in.

Knowing your MacOS version might help. On 10.14 (Mojave), when I press COMMAND+F to search, I am also given an option at the top of the search window to select "This Mac" or [current folder or drive], regardless of the Finder settings. Do you see that?

44418210010_6b6a5a98a6_b.jpg
 
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The drive should not need to be connected to change this option. I have three options, Search This Mac, Search the Current Folder, and Use the Previous Search Scope. Which macOS version are you using?
 
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lori5060
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I am still using Sierra.... which option would I choose to search the top external drive.
 
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I am still using Sierra.... which option would I choose to search the top external drive.

If you click on your external HD in Finder and then press COMMAND+F to search, the search will default to that drive if you have "Search the Current Folder" selected in Finder preferences as Bob described. But even if you don't, there should be an option to manually select the current drive/folder as shown in my screenshot in my previous post. Unless that was different in Sierra...can't remember.
 

IWT


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Unless that was different in Sierra...can't remember.

NO, it was the same in Sierra and High Sierra - just as you (and others) mentioned.

But - to restate - (a) you must Open Finder, then Finder Preferences , then Advanced, then choose "Search the Current Folder" plus (b) Click on the EHD in question and this needs to be mounted and visible in Finder (Finder Preferences > Sidebar > Devices > check Hard Disks and External Disks).

Ian

Ian
 
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lori5060
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great!!! worked like a charm...just selected current folder and it looked great.
 

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Good for you, lori. Well done.

Ian
 

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