Flow-Launcher/Flow.Launcher

BUG: Explorer Plugin Cannot Save Network Path Root to Quick Access Links

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#2552 opened on Feb 7, 2024

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Description

Checks

  • I have checked that this issue has not already been reported.

  • I am using the latest version of Flow Launcher.

Problem Description

When in the Explorer Plugin, and trying to add a directory to Quick Access Links (or also applies to "Index Search Excluded Paths"), if I browse to a local root drive directory (eg, F drive) I can add "F:", but if I try to add the root directory of a network path (eg, "\NAS_ROOT" I get the following error: You can't open this location using this program. Please try a different location.

It does work fine if the network drive is mapped to a drive letter, but I have need of being able to use the network path (and the error occurs both with HOSTNAME and IP Address).

To Reproduce

  1. Open Explorer Plugin
  2. Go to Quick Access Links (or Index Search Excluded Paths)
  3. Add
  4. Browse to a network path (eg, \NAS_ROOT)
  5. Select Folder
  6. Encounter error: You can't open this location using this program. Please try a different location.

Screenshots

2024-02-07 08_08_42-Start

Flow Launcher Version

1.17.1

Windows Build Number

10.0.19045.3930

Error Log

Log contains no errors anytime close to time period of above issue (ie, it does not appear to be logged in the log).


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Contributor guide

Tech stack
csharp
Domain
desktop
Issue type
bug
DifficultyEstimated implementation difficulty for a new contributor, from 1 for very small changes to 5 for expert-level work.
3
Estimated timeA rough time range for an experienced contributor to investigate, implement, test, and prepare a pull request.
half day
Activity statusHow available the issue appears right now: fresh, active, stale, blocked, or waiting on maintainer input.
active
ClarityHow clearly the issue explains the expected change, acceptance criteria, and next step.
clear
Prerequisites
C#Windows file systemNetwork path handling
Newbie friendlinessA 1-100 score estimating how approachable this issue is for first-time contributors.
65
Research direction
The bug occurs when using the Explorer Plugin to add a network path root (e.g., \\NAS ROOT) to Quick Access Links. The Windows error 'You can't open this location using this program' suggests the folder picker dialog cannot handle network root paths. Investigate the folder selection code in the Explorer Plugin, likely using FolderBrowserDialog or OpenFileDialog. Consider using a different dialog or method to support network paths. Check if the issue is specific to the dialog or the path validation logic. Look at the repository's code for QuickAccessLinks and IndexSearchExcludedPaths handling.