There is a group policy option to turn off this feature. Enable Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Search \ Do not allow locations on removable drives to be added to libraries.
How do I prevent system volume information files from showing up in my usb flash drive?
I recently upgraded to Windows 8.1 once it was made available to me via the app store. I noticed the other day when I had transfered some music to my game console that I had a folder titled "System Volume Information" on the root of my flash drive. I didn't know what it was so I deleted it and went about my business. I did the same thing today and there it was. So I deleted it and plugged it back into my laptop this time only to remove it again and return to the game console to reproduce the issue. Same as before. So I'd like to know step by step how to prevent these folders from being stored in my flash drive. I know these are not harmful files but it is irritating to have them stored on the flash drive. I don't want to have to constantly delete it all the time either. Especially when I know this used to never be an issue before.
I saw this and was able to make the files visable but I was confused about what to do in the command prompt.
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers
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There is a group policy option to turn off this feature. Enable Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Search \ Do not allow locations on removable drives to be added to libraries.
Thanks for taking the time to investigate this Eliyas. That fix has worked for me. Just a heads up to anyone else reading this post, AFAIK this will only work in Win 8.1 Pro or Enterprise as other Win 8.1 versions do not have GPEDIT
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Anonymous
2016-07-19T16:45:13+00:00 WELL THAT SUCKS!
I determine what happens on my computer, not the fools at Microsoft.
I haven't EVER used ANY version of Indexing because it's a foolish waste of resources. I should not now have to deal with unnecessary files and folders because MS clings to its stupid pet annoyance.
If you can't remember what you put on your flash drives, you probably don't need it anyway.
When I turn off indexing, all the support for indexing should stop too.
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Anonymous
2016-07-17T01:49:04+00:00 I checked. I even attempted to create another DWORD copy/pasting the name listed in the post above, copied from viewing the source of the web page - was denied because there was already an identically-named DWORD there.
While I would never guarantee I haven't made an error (betting I screw something up is usually the safe bet), I'm pretty sure this one registry entry is correct. (*sigh*)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"DisableRemovableDriveIndexing"=dword:00000001
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Anonymous
2016-07-16T14:01:32+00:00 I don't know what to say...the registry changes stopped the issue for me. Re-check your entry several times for typos, even invisible ones.