Box Drive no longer working with Everything search

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insert2
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:26 pm

Box Drive no longer working with Everything search

Post by insert2 »

for a long time I used to add Box Drive folders to Indexes/Folders under Options (Ctrl+P) and it worked flawless but not anymore...

Unfortunately Box Drive now exposes folders through a protected virtual filesystem that blocks direct NTFS enumeration.
Therefore Everything cannot index or even open the folder, manual or automatic and this is expected behavior will not be “fixed” unless Box changes policy.

I tried to go back to version BoxDrive-2.46.240 because I thought it was only since I updated to the latest BoxDrive-2.48.250 but this change was made recently regardless the version
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ChatGPT's answer:
What’s really happening (short version)

Box Drive changed the security model of its local folders.
They are now protected by special NTFS permissions + a virtual file system driver, and Everything is explicitly denied access at the OS level.

So this is not:
  • an Everything bug
  • a broken index
  • something you misconfigured
It’s an intentional access restriction enforced by Box.

Why you see this specific error
“You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access you will need to use the security tab.”

This appears when:
  • the folder exists on disk, but
  • Windows ACLs (Access Control Lists) block enumeration
  • even for administrators
Box Drive folders are now:
  • owned by a system / Box service SID
  • protected by deny rules
  • backed by a cloud filesystem (CFAPI / reparse points)
Explorer can browse them because:
  • it uses Box’s shell extension
  • not raw filesystem access
Everything, however:
  • reads the filesystem directly
  • does not go through Box’s shell layer
  • therefore hits a hard permission wall
That’s why manual folder indexing fails immediately.


Why it worked before (and stopped “recently”)

Box Drive used to offer:
  • a fully synced local folder mode
Recent Box updates switched to:
  • streaming / cloud-only files
  • zero-trust local access
  • tighter NTFS deny rules
This change broke all low-level indexers, not just Everything:
  • Everything
  • Everything 1.4
  • Everything 1.5 alpha
  • many backup tools
  • some antivirus scanners
Important: You CANNOT fix this via the Security tab
Even though Windows suggests it, in practice:
  • Taking ownership ❌
  • Adding yourself ❌
  • Removing deny rules ❌
…will either:
  • fail silently
  • be reverted by Box
  • or break Box Drive entirely
Box actively re-enforces these permissions.


What does work (realistic options)
✅ Option 1: Enable “Make Available Offline” (best workaround)
If Box allows it in your plan:
  • Right-click a Box folder
  • Choose Make available offline
  • Wait for full sync (green checkmark)
  • Index that offline subfolder only
Those files become:
  • real NTFS files
  • readable by Everything
⚠️ Not all org policies allow this.


✅ Option 2: Use Box Web Search instead
If you rely on filename search only:
  • Box’s web UI search
  • Box desktop quick search
Not ideal, but fully supported.


❌ Option 3: Downgrade Everything / switch versions
Won’t help.
This is below Everything’s control.


❌ Option 4: Run Everything as admin / service
Already blocked.
You’re hitting a kernel-level deny, not a privilege issue.
__________________________________________________


What do you guys think?
insert2
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:26 pm

Re: Box Drive no longer working with Everything search

Post by insert2 »

as of today Everything is good... Box has changed something in their policy because their data can be indexed and searched like before :))))
yes!

does anybody else has experienced this behavior?
PhreakyByNature
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Dec 11, 2025 11:46 am

Re: Box Drive no longer working with Everything search

Post by PhreakyByNature »

insert2 wrote: Thu Jan 15, 2026 2:05 pm as of today Everything is good... Box has changed something in their policy because their data can be indexed and searched like before :))))
yes!

does anybody else has experienced this behavior?
I didn't get it to work on 1.4, so moved over to 1.5a and still no luck.
What version of Box Drive have you got?

I'm on 2.49.257 and no joy. Not sure if 2.50 will fix this. Probably not.
insert2
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2022 1:26 pm

Re: Box Drive no longer working with Everything search

Post by insert2 »

I'm on Version 1.5.0.1404a (x64)

Please try the following:
In Windows Explorer, navigate to your Everything.exe location
(usually C:\Program Files\Everything 1.5a)

Change your Everything.exe to Everything64.exe

Exit Everything:
Everything -> File -> Exit

Launch Everything64.exe

Can you access your box drive now?
Proton6122
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2026 3:31 pm

Re: Box Drive no longer working with Everything search

Post by Proton6122 »

I had been having issues with accessing box drive files with everything search also, but it seems to be working for me now. I am using the lastest Version 1.5.0.1406a (x64). Remember to add your "box folder" to the list of folders for everything to search. I forgot I had removed it a while ago during troubleshooting.
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