Solved Unable to see files in Metro App (Music, Pictures, etc)

I have a new Dell Vostro 270MT running Windows 8 Pro 64-bit. I'm having a problem in that the Metro Apps (Music, Pictures, etc) are not seeing any files on a second internal HDD.

I have gone into Windows Explorer and explicitly added the file location (e.. E:\Music) to the relevant Library (e.g. My Music). When I click on the library, the files appear there and I can open them from within Windows Explorer (by selecting the file and choosing "Open with"). Individual music files will open with any of the installed programs including Music, Media Player or VLC. Similarly picture files are visible in Photo Viewer or Pictures.

But when I return to the Metro/Start screen and select the relevant app (e.g. Music) - no files appear.

If I copy a file across to the main library on C: - then the file will appear in the app. (But I want to keep all my data on a 2nd internal HDD rather than fill up my C: drive).

I have tried:
- Uninstalling and reinstalling the app
- Explicitly setting the folder type to "Music" or "Pictures" or whatever is relevant, as well as keeping it as "General"
- I have added the file to the library by (1) going into the library and adding it to the list of locations to be accessed, as well as (2) going to the E: drive, selecting the folder and adding it to the library

None of the above work.

Any suggestions as to how I can resolve this issue?

The error i get is this folder cant be included because its on a removable device..

And that was from trying in explorer >> libraries >> Music right click music select properties >> add library location..

I may have a fix for that, i'll verify it when i get home and try it with an actual harddrive and not my phone..


In case you want to try it before I get home, I was going to go to the external harddrive policies and tell it to configure for best performance instead of quick removal..

I had already tried adding the folder like that - it didn't work (though the folder does list under the relevant library when viewed in Explorer, it does not appear in the app). Also the drive I am trying to access is a second internal HDD, so there shouldn't be issues with missing external or network drives.

you should be able to browse through the folders directly from within the apps without adding them to the library. I have drives C: through J:, consisting of 3 hard drives and I'm able to browse.

here's an example with the Xbox Music app:









here's an example with Notepad Classic:





now, for the Photos app, there's no file explorer so they have to be added to the library to be seen.

you could try rebuilding your indexing. or try removing all the library folders and readding them.

Thanks for your help. Recreating the index seemed to do the trick.

Part of the problem was also that recreating the index was quite slow, so that it took a few hours for the items to appear in the App.

I also hadn't noticed that you could select and play specific files from within the app - thanks for highlighting that.

Many thanks for your help.

you're welcome. good luck!