Use Content from SD (Solved)

I created My Photos, Documents, Videos on the SD card and want to use it as a source. It wont add the SD card b/c its a removable. Anybody find a way around this?

Having the same issue with music on sd card. You can manually open them in Xbox music but you can't have them appear in the music app. Would also like to hear how to get around this.

Try this..open up the file manager and click on music (underneath libraries). Then click on Manage (between view and play). Then select manage library. A new window should pop up and you can add the folder located on the SD card

Tried that but it says this folder can't be loaded as it is on a portable drive...

I hope there is a way to do this. I also tried to add the folder and got the same error message. Would make the SD card much more useful if this would work.

I was able to figure this out with a work around that you can find at this site. I have to say I am impressed with the functionality of the RT device. pretty robust configuration capability....

Add Unsupported Removable Drives To Windows 7′s Libraries | Lifehacker Australia

and I am loving the touch cover.

Originally Posted by mutant 9

I was able to figure this out with a work around that you can find at this site. I have to say I am impressed with the functionality of the RT device. pretty robust configuration capability....

Add Unsupported Removable Drives To Windows 7′s Libraries | Lifehacker Australia

and I am loving the touch cover.

Can you better explain how you did this? I am not understanding/finding the options mentioned.

Why didn't I think of that! I was almost ready to return the Surface over this (to get a 64GB model ��).

You can access computer management by holding on Computer in the library folders of the desktop mode. I created a folder called media on the root of c:, then held computer, chose manage, then disk management. From there, hold the sd drive for a second and choose change drive letter... The link above explains the rest.

Originally Posted by mutant 9

I was able to figure this out with a work around that you can find at this site. I have to say I am impressed with the functionality of the RT device. pretty robust configuration capability....

Add Unsupported Removable Drives To Windows 7′s Libraries | Lifehacker Australia

and I am loving the touch cover.

Sweet, thank you so much.

Originally Posted by billfraley

Why didn't I think of that! I was almost ready to return the Surface over this (to get a 64GB model ��).

You can access computer management by holding on Computer in the library folders of the desktop mode. I created a folder called media on the root of c:, then held computer, chose manage, then disk management. From there, hold the sd drive for a second and choose change drive letter... The link above explains the rest.

you shouldn't change the drive mapping, add a new one to the existing sd card drive

then it works as expected for other stuff

Originally Posted by jonldevries

you shouldn't change the drive mapping, add a new one to the existing sd card drive

then it works as expected for other stuff

Change is the option you select. Then you add.

Open Disk Management, Right click on the SD card drive, choose mount.

Tell it to mount to a folder you create somewhere, such as in your Library folders.

This was actually something that has had to be done going back to Windows 7. It's due to the SD cards not being able to be indexed.

That's an awesome tip! It's great to see hacks like this that were designed for Windows 7 still work on Windows RT :)

Just for the sake of clarity, here are the exact steps I took:

1 - create a folder on the c: drive to use for this "mapping." I created c:\media

2 - Open the library folders in desktop mode

3 - Long press, or right click using a mouse, on Computer in the left pane and choose manage.

4 - Once the MMC opens select Disk Management in the left pane

5 - Long press, or right click using a mouse, on the drive object for the SD card and select Change Drive Letters and Paths... option

6 - Select the add option and browse the folder you created on C: then select ok, and ok again.

7 - Go back to libraries, long press or right click the library that matches the content you wish to include from the SD (i.e. music, videos, pictures) and choose properties.

8 - Add the location to the subfolder (on c:\media\music in my example for music content) to the library and it will then show up in the music, video, or pictures metro apps

9 - Enjoy the added storage for your libraries!

Does anyone have any idea how we can change the download path of Xbox music to the sdcard?

Originally Posted by cubanaso

Does anyone have any idea how we can change the download path of Xbox music to the sdcard?

Yes in the library change the default save location.

Originally Posted by billfraley

Just for the sake of clarity, here are the exact steps I took:

1 - create a folder on the c: drive to use for this "mapping." I created c:\media

2 - Open the library folders in desktop mode

3 - Long press, or right click using a mouse, on Computer in the left pane and choose manage.

4 - Once the MMC opens select Disk Management in the left pane

5 - Long press, or right click using a mouse, on the drive object for the SD card and select Change Drive Letters and Paths... option

6 - Select the add option and browse the folder you created on C: then select ok, and ok again.

7 - Go back to libraries, long press or right click the library that matches the content you wish to include from the SD (i.e. music, videos, pictures) and choose properties.

8 - Add the location to the subfolder (on c:\media\music in my example for music content) to the library and it will then show up in the music, video, or pictures metro apps

9 - Enjoy the added storage for your libraries!

I followed your instructions and it still doesn't recognize the music.


Also has anyone experienced problem pairing the Surface with your Windows Phone via Bluetooth?

Originally Posted by tdt59512

I followed your instructions and it still doesn't recognize the music.


Also has anyone experienced problem pairing the Surface with your Windows Phone via Bluetooth?

I just moved my users directories to the SDcard. Just go to a user folder (like Downloads) right click, go to properties and location tab. Change the directory and hit apply, it will move things for you too.

-Davy

Ps. Im using a class 10 card, ymmv if trying to play 1080p rips via a class 4, etc

Yes yes moved save location to sd card for music, only trick is finding the download button in Xbox music

So now I am not upset I didn't get 64gb surface

Originally Posted by jonldevries

Yes yes moved save location to sd card for music, only trick is finding the download button in Xbox music

So now I am not upset I didn't get 64gb surface

Is it showing up on Xbox Music? There's no locations tab with the Music Library. I wish this was seamless. Still not working for me. The sales representative said all we had to do was put in the card.

Originally Posted by tdt59512

I followed your instructions and it still doesn't recognize the music.


Also has anyone experienced problem pairing the Surface with your Windows Phone via Bluetooth?

That's odd. Worked great for me and others. Is it possibly a DRM issue with your files?

Originally Posted by billfraley

That's odd. Worked great for me and others. Is it possibly a DRM issue with your files?

I formatted the SDCard too to NTFS.

On a lighter note. Everyone I've shown my Surface to is impressed and everyone types well on the Touch Cover.

Does it matter if the My Music folder is sorted out by Artists and Albums? I don't understand. I'm doing everything listed in the steps. I wish the app had something like the Zune software.

Originally Posted by tdt59512

I formatted the SDCard too to NTFS.

On a lighter note. Everyone I've shown my Surface to is impressed and everyone types well on the Touch Cover.

Does it matter if the My Music folder is sorted out by Artists and Albums? I don't understand. I'm doing everything listed in the steps. I wish the app had something like the Zune software.

I have my sd card setup with separate folders for each media type and a separate documents folder. In other words I have the following folders off the root folder on the sd card:

Documents
Music
Pictures
Videos

Also, it is important that you add the folders to your libraries using the location you have mapped to on the C: drive. My music is in alpha ordered subdirectories under the music folder. I added each subfolder under c:\media to each corresponding library. I.e. c:\media\music is added to the My Music library, the same for each of the other libraries.

Originally Posted by billfraley

I have my sd card setup with separate folders for each media type and a separate documents folder. In other words I have the following folders off the root folder on the sd card:

Documents
Music
Pictures
Videos

Also, it is important that you add the folders to your libraries using the location you have mapped to on the C: drive. My music is in alpha ordered subdirectories under the music folder. I added each subfolder under c:\media to each corresponding library. I.e. c:\media\music is added to the My Music library, the same for each of the other libraries.

Thanks!

I was able to get the Photos to correctly map. I just have an issue with Music not populating. I guess I just have to play around with it.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Very Streange. I did everything as mentioned in the article.

1. Added SD card to C:\Media
2. Included appropriate folders in the library (Pictures, Music, Video)

Nothing is showing up under the Photos, Video and Music section.

Any other thoughts on this?

OK. I have my SD card working (sorta) has I can see all the songs in My Music. So the funny part is that when I [;ay any music, it says it is playing from the cloud, not my machine. Also it wants me to purchase all the music that I put in there.... Now something is wrong.

I am able to see all my Music now and play, no problem, but I still can not see my Pictures, and Videos. The Apps are not picking them ups for some reason.

I did this and it worked perfectly. Then I went in and added pcs docs and video folders and re mapped everything. Now in music all of by music is not showing in the Xbox app. But if I hit open file it is all listed under my music and I can play any album by manually selecting it.

Any idea how I can have the app repopulated?

Thanks

The apps aren't picking up anything for me today. Photos was working yesterday. I hope someone figures this out.

Here is another link to an explanation of how to do this:

http://www.winsupersite.com/print/wi...ro-apps-144658

Awesome mod indeed!!!

I don't know what I did differently, but I just went ahead and renamed my folder on the c: drive to media (c:\media). Went to Manage My computer, Disk management, Change drive letter. Removed the original folder, and OK. Went back and re-added again with c:\media.

Then I went to c:\media and added each folder, music, pictures, video, to their appropriate Libraries one by one. And all of a sudden they showed up. So all is well now. Hopefully it will stay that way :)

Originally Posted by lennyk1313

I don't know what I did differently, but I just went ahead and renamed my folder on the c: drive to media (c:\media). Went to Manage My computer, Disk management, Change drive letter. Removed the original folder, and OK. Went back and re-added again with c:\media.

Then I went to c:\media and added each folder, music, pictures, video, to their appropriate Libraries one by one. And all of a sudden they showed up. So all is well now. Hopefully it will stay that way :)

Yea you don't want to use default library folder names for the mount. It has to be something different.

thanks all! created a VHD and it works great.

Originally Posted by lennyk1313

I don't know what I did differently, but I just went ahead and renamed my folder on the c: drive to media (c:\media). Went to Manage My computer, Disk management, Change drive letter. Removed the original folder, and OK. Went back and re-added again with c:\media.

Then I went to c:\media and added each folder, music, pictures, video, to their appropriate Libraries one by one. And all of a sudden they showed up. So all is well now. Hopefully it will stay that way :)

So delete the C:/User/My Music under the properties?

Went in un installed and reinstalled and everything works again...

I made a how-to video on how I got mine to work, I hope it will clear up any confusion. It's my first "how to" video on anything, so i apologize for any confusion!

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KRXCXB856A[/YT]

Edit: Okay, this is starting to get annoying. My above video does work, but I noticed when I added more music into my Music folder onto my SD card, the music app isn't picking up the newly added files. It still shows my other music, but none of the new music that I've added.

I hope this is a bug, and I hope MS releases updates soon to this tablet.

The symbolic link 'hack' DOES NOT WORK. Yes, it will SOMETIME populate the lists, but here's the issue. Symbolic links don't really fool the OS. So while it allows you to add the location to your library Windows holds true to its inability to index removable media and/or network locations (there goes the other 'hack')

So what can you do?

A VHD Works, I have a 32gig card, created a 28gig VHD on it. And then mounted that. (made a .bat that runs at startup to do it for me)

Remaining issues, sometimes while playing music it will stop and say 'this format is not supported.' Sometimes in the middle of songs, other times between songs. Could be an SD read speed issue, (bought the one at the pop-store as a toss-in so didn't really bother looking at the details,) or could be Surface needing an update (anyone else get a weird drone sound when the music app starts acting up, like a buzz)

Besides that, this is the only way I have found to keep media on an SD card and have a populated functioning library.

You can still use this hack, with a slight caveat. You have to do a manual rebuild every time you add media. You do this in desktop mode. First open control panel, then indexing options, advanced, and finally select rebuild.

Originally Posted by billfraley

You can still use this hack, with a slight caveat. You have to do a manual rebuild every time you add media. You do this in desktop mode. First open control panel, then indexing options, advanced, and finally select rebuild.

Every time we add something? What does rebuild actually do?

Originally Posted by tdt59512

Every time we add something? What does rebuild actually do?

Yes, based on my testing, I had to rebuild after adding even a picture. This kind of sucks really. I may just return this 32GB for a 64GB.

Rebuild just reindexes the folders. This process seems to be fooled by the hack.

Originally Posted by billfraley

Yes, based on my testing, I had to rebuild after adding even a picture. This kind of sucks really. I may just return this 32GB for a 64GB.

Rebuild just reindexes the folders. This process seems to be fooled by the hack.

Fooled by the hack meaning it works? I guess we all have to make sure we add enough content before we rebuild haha.

Originally Posted by tdt59512

Fooled by the hack meaning it works? I guess we all have to make sure we add enough content before we rebuild haha.

Yes, it definitely works. It only takes a few seconds to rebuild. Also, this only seems to be an issue with the metro apps.

Anybody able to write a batch file for this? So we can leave on the desktop. I imagine this would yield better performance than going through a VHD as I have had it.

I'm confused. What problem is there with just mounting the SD card to a folder? I have had 0 problems and this is the same thing I have been doing back in Windows 7. And don't create a new drive letter for it. Just mount it to a single folder.

Originally Posted by vagrantwade

I'm confused. What problem is there with just mounting the SD card to a folder? I have had 0 problems and this is the same thing I have been doing back in Windows 7. And don't create a new drive letter for it. Just mount it to a single folder.

It seems to work but fails to manage changes going forward. To test, save a pic to your pictures folder and see if it shows up in the metro photo app. It works fine in desktop mode, just having issues in metro.

To be clear, mine has had no issues ADDING files. It's when I remove them that the changes don't get reflect. Rebuilding an index works, but for now the convenience of the VHD will have to do.

Originally Posted by billfraley

It seems to work but fails to manage changes going forward. To test, save a pic to your pictures folder and see if it shows up in the metro photo app. It works fine in desktop mode, just having issues in metro.

I just saved the image of the quote button from this forum to my mounted folder, and it is showing up right away in my photo app. Strange.

Originally Posted by vagrantwade

I just saved the image of the quote button from this forum to my mounted folder, and it is showing up right away in my photo app. Strange.

Ok, now delete it and you will probably have a blank placeholder in its place.

Just installed my 64gb microSD:



I'm trying to think if I want to remap directories or just add folders to libraries to make the best use of space. Having ~10gb of free space on C: doesn't seem right after a weekend of installing apps and getting the system setup. I haven't added any movies or music yet...

The Surface should have been sold in 64gb and 128gb models. The OS is pretty big and a lot of disk space was lost to recovery partitions.

Right now:
935mb = C:\Program Files
7mb = C:\ProgramData
0mb= C:\Sources
1500mb = C:\Users
7700mb = C:\Windows

Originally Posted by Skaughtto

Just installed my 64gb microSD:

Click to view quoted image


I'm trying to think if I want to remap directories or just add folders to libraries to make the best use of space. Having ~10gb of free space on C: doesn't seem right after a weekend of installing apps and getting the system setup. I haven't added any movies or music yet...

The Surface should have been sold in 64gb and 128gb models. The OS is pretty big and a lot of disk space was lost to recovery partitions.

Right now:
935mb = C:\Program Files
7mb = C:\ProgramData
0mb= C:\Sources
1500mb = C:\Users
7700mb = C:\Windows

Why not just play the files off the sd card like the rest of us...?

Originally Posted by vagrantwade

Why not just play the files off the sd card like the rest of us...?

Because what people want the surface to do is properly index the files so that everything appears where it is supposed to, music being in the music app, videos in the video app. Pictures in the pictures app. and so on.

If we can figure out a way to make the SD non removable, that would be one possible solution.

Originally Posted by vagrantwade

Why not just play the files off the sd card like the rest of us...?

I'll mess with it this morning, but basically if I remap the two user accounts on my Surface to the microSD on D: then...
- I won't run into storage space issues as quickly if either account starts collecting large files in their desktop and documents folders.
- It'll make it easy to quickly transfer/recover all of my user data.
- I don't have to consciously remember to put things on D:, because it'll automatically be there when I put it in MyDocs, on the desktop, etc.

EDIT:

I had no problems moving the basic folders (desktop, documents, music, etc.) to my SD, but I'll have to read up on moving the hidden AppData folder.



There's also a tutorial on sevenforums.com for how to move the whole enchilada:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...-location.html
Maybe I'll test it out with another account to see how Modern UI apps work with it.

Windows still didn't want to index my remapped "unsupported libraries", so I had to do the same trick you guys did. After running a manual index, mp3s and photos showed up in apps. All my data except the AppData folder is on my 64gb micro SD.

Originally Posted by rhalbert10

Here is another link to an explanation of how to do this:

http://www.winsupersite.com/print/wi...ro-apps-144658

Awesome mod indeed!!!

the problem is this shouldn't have to be a "mod" The music app is extremely stripped down and can't even do what I could do with Zune, which is add a location within that software and it just sees and enumerates all the albums in the added folder. This is a bug/glitch/shortfalls whatever you want to call it that Microsoft needs to fix ASAP.

Has anyone else noticed that when playing music that is on the SD card, if the screen goes to sleep, the music stops at the end of the song that was playing. It seems that when the current song finishes, it cuts power to the SD card. Kind of make is useless to have a music collection on the SD card.

Originally Posted by nuprotocol

I created My Photos, Documents, Videos on the SD card and want to use it as a source. It wont add the SD card b/c its a removable. Anybody find a way around this?

Step-by-step instructions: Team Radicus | Surface and SD Card

The only thing that doesn't work is the Camera Roll, for some strange reason ...

HTH
Toni

***Caution*** I haven't tested this:

I've been reading up on a program for Lexar flash drives called BootIt that can flip the removable media bit(RMB) and make the flash media appear as a fixed disk. I'm going to read up on it more before attempting it on my 64gb Sandisk micro SD, but it could be a solution if you are going to leave the same card in your surface forever. (or it could totally hose your micro SD)

I called up the local Microsoft store to see about exchanging my 32gb Surface, that I pre-ordered online, for a 64gb. They said it wouldn't be an issue and they have 64gb models in stock.

EDIT:
There may also be a filter driver that can be installed. The filter driver ignores the RMB, so the micro SD would appear as a fixed disk and no changes would be made to the drive.

Read more: http://agnipulse.com/2012/03/filter-...d-disk-windows

Originally Posted by Skaughtto

***Caution*** I haven't tested this:

I've been reading up on a program for Lexar flash drives called BootIt that can flip the removable media bit(RMB) and make the flash media appear as a fixed disk. I'm going to read up on it more before attempting it on my 64gb Sandisk micro SD, but it could be a solution if you are going to leave the same card in your surface forever. (or it could totally hose your micro SD)

I called up the local Microsoft store to see about exchanging my 32gb Surface, that I pre-ordered online, for a 64gb. They said it wouldn't be an issue and they have 64gb models in stock.

EDIT:
There may also be a filter driver that can be installed. The filter driver ignores the RMB, so the micro SD would appear as a fixed disk and no changes would be made to the drive.

Read more: Filter Drivers – Removable Media as Fixed Disk in Windows | AgniPulse

do you think that would work on a RT device. It looks like you need to install something, which can't be done on RT...

A little off topic, but where is a good place to get cheap class 10 32GB or 64GB micro sd cards? Kinda don't wanna pay more than $40 lol.

I guess I'd just like to reiterate...why should we be having to do this crap? It is the app that is broken, not our workflows.

Report it to MS, its an easy fix for the Metro UI that extends into Windows 8 proper as well.


Welcome to live as an early adopter to a damn near new OS.

I too have had issues with indexing etc on the Video app.

I have found a third party app called Multimedia 8 and this has worked flawlessly with showing videos and music - i have tested by moving media in and out of the SD folders that are setup within the library and they appear/remove straight away.

Originally Posted by TeamRadicus

Step-by-step instructions: Team Radicus | Surface and SD Card

The only thing that doesn't work is the Camera Roll, for some strange reason ...

HTH
Toni

Thanks for the guide, I saw Engadget did a little write up about it :D

I changed the default save folder for pictures back to the internal location and the camera folder works perfectly after that.

Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express

So as i read this is a "problem" with Windows proper. Removable storage can't be indexed within the Windows OS.

THe apps just need to be updated to let you view removable media

Originally Posted by HooDooMagic

Thanks for the guide, I saw Engadget did a little write up about it :D

I was pretty stoked, I admit. Traffic on my site went up 4000% hehe

Toni

Anybody find a solution to the apps not recognizing new files when added?

I tried the paul thurrot method and the method posted in here, issues with the app recognizing newly added files.

I tried the xda way by changing the drive and mounting into C drive and had issues as well.

The only way i can get it recognize new files is to go into properties of the music video folder under libraries and choose to locate the microsd main folder, if you choose the subfolder for like music/video, etc, it will recognize all the files initially, but not ones that you add later. If you choose main folder which i called the microsd folder, it recognizes as you add except now i see all my sub folders in my photo app which is annoying.

What is the best method you guys have seen that adds your music or videos by adding a subfolder as your location and also have your surface recognize new incoming files?

So right now, i have it set where the library locates the main microsd folder instea of sub folders, new files recognize and it music plays if you put the surface to sleep as well.

Boy i wish it wasnt this confusing.

I'd also like to know if there's a better way for the Music + Video apps to recognise new files as they're added, without re-mounting the SD card each time.

Tempted to try out the Multimedia 8 app mentioned above and see how it works.

Originally Posted by rOIVAz

I'd also like to know if there's a better way for the Music + Video apps to recognise new files as they're added, without re-mounting the SD card each time.

Tempted to try out the Multimedia 8 app mentioned above and see how it works.

For me, i just stated today, that if you set you library to locate the main SD folder going into properties under the music/video folder under libraries and not the sub folder, new files will recognize.

You can still set your sub folder as default save destination i beleive and it will still recognize.

Anbydoy know how to keep music playing after a few seconds the tablet goes to sleep?

The thing that works best for me is a VHD on the SD. That way I can have my camera roll on the VHD and it works.

My music works even when the device sleeps but sometimes it will stutter here and there.

Originally Posted by LJKelley

The thing that works best for me is a VHD on the SD. That way I can have my camera roll on the VHD and it works.

My music works even when the device sleeps but sometimes it will stutter here and there.

What is vhd?

Originally Posted by paulmd

I too have had issues with indexing etc on the Video app.

I have found a third party app called Multimedia 8 and this has worked flawlessly with showing videos and music - i have tested by moving media in and out of the SD folders that are setup within the library and they appear/remove straight away.

I had that same problem then I realized I could use a VHD. I wrote up a blog about how to do this with a VHD and enable indexing on the VHD.

Configure Surface to use MicroSD as Primary Storage | Matt Blogs IT

Originally Posted by mattgrif

I had that same problem then I realized I could use a VHD. I wrote up a blog about how to do this with a VHD and enable indexing on the VHD.

Configure Surface to use MicroSD as Primary Storage | Matt Blogs IT

This is awesome! This fixed the indexing issue. Didn't think it would be that simple. Thanks a million! All changes are instantly reflected in the photos app now. No more rebuilding.... lol

Originally Posted by nuprotocol

This is awesome! This fixed the indexing issue. Didn't think it would be that simple. Thanks a million! All changes are instantly reflected in the photos app now. No more rebuilding.... lol

cant seem to follow this once it gets to the creating files and stuff. anyway to get this done on video?

If you're looking to just add your media library, I wrote a write up a 2 days ago:
How To add your MicroSD to a Windows Music, Picture, or Video Library

It's pretty straight forward, and unless you're looking to make it into your primary for everything, this has worked great for me. Hope it helps.

Originally Posted by nuprotocol

This is awesome! This fixed the indexing issue. Didn't think it would be that simple. Thanks a million! All changes are instantly reflected in the photos app now. No more rebuilding.... lol

Glad to hear it helped you, that's exactly why I did it this way because the indexing was ticking me off with the Photos app.

Originally Posted by mattgrif

Glad to hear it helped you, that's exactly why I did it this way because the indexing was ticking me off with the Photos app.

Yes it was getting on my nerves too. This was a simple fix. I'm also now following your blog. Thanks again. Now if we can just get an MKV player. lol

Originally Posted by kane4fire

If you're looking to just add your media library, I wrote a write up a 2 days ago:
How To add your MicroSD to a Windows Music, Picture, or Video Library

It's pretty straight forward, and unless you're looking to make it into your primary for everything, this has worked great for me. Hope it helps.

THis seems to simple to be true compared to all the other ways people have said...

HOpefully it works well, can you confirm that these issues dont exist with this method?

-Music stopping after a few seconds the tablet goes to sleep
-not recognizing new files

Feedback appreciated.

Originally Posted by mattgrif

Glad to hear it helped you, that's exactly why I did it this way because the indexing was ticking me off with the Photos app.

Matt,

Great method - works flawlessly! Thanks.

Toni

P.S. Add a couple of lines at the beginning of the post to enable unsigned PS scripts otherwise the auto-mount script will fail by default.

Originally Posted by dkp23

THis seems to simple to be true compared to all the other ways people have said...

HOpefully it works well, can you confirm that these issues dont exist with this method?

-Music stopping after a few seconds the tablet goes to sleep
-not recognizing new files

Feedback appreciated.

I have been using this method for a few days now with no issues on my end. It plays the songs even when the screen sleeps (both time out and power button)

The new files do propagate, but it seems to take a few minutes before it is added to the library. I am guessing it takes a while for it to search and find it. It also might just be due to my music library collection size.

include quotes "mount-disk image" part or no? won't auto-mount on startup, maybe the other reply is onto it but low on details. What lines do we add to run unsigned scripts?

I initially did what Paul suggested and mounted my SD card, adding the folders to the library, etc.

I copied the Xbox Music folders into the SD card, and everything was working fine -- but I noticed it had two 'copies' of each file (ie. Artist - Song.wma, Artist - Song (2).wma), so I deleted the entire directory of all the music.

Now, songs cannot be downloaded, the option is not available. Additionally, any song I play that isn't in SmartDJ just plays 30 seconds!

Does anyone else have this issue? It's super frustrating - I don't want to have to wait 30 days to delete the device and try again (if that's what's required)

Originally Posted by weldon

I initially did what Paul suggested and mounted my SD card, adding the folders to the library, etc.

I copied the Xbox Music folders into the SD card, and everything was working fine -- but I noticed it had two 'copies' of each file (ie. Artist - Song.wma, Artist - Song (2).wma), so I deleted the entire directory of all the music.

Now, songs cannot be downloaded, the option is not available. Additionally, any song I play that isn't in SmartDJ just plays 30 seconds!

Does anyone else have this issue? It's super frustrating - I don't want to have to wait 30 days to delete the device and try again (if that's what's required)

Pauls version didnt work so well for me, still had the new file not recognizing issue, but also had issues with the app not recognizing files although you see it in the libraries.

Never had this issue you had though

Originally Posted by VidJuhEffex

include quotes "mount-disk image" part or no? won't auto-mount on startup, maybe the other reply is onto it but low on details. What lines do we add to run unsigned scripts?

• From the Start screen, flick up from the bottom and choose All Apps
• Scroll all the way to the right and launch Command Prompt
• On the task bar, 'right-click' Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator
• In the new Command Prompt window, type powershell [Enter]
• Type set-executition policy unrestricted [Enter]

The script should run now - reboot and see.

And you don't need the quotes.

HTH
Toni

Originally Posted by dkp23

Pauls version didnt work so well for me, still had the new file not recognizing issue, but also had issues with the app not recognizing files although you see it in the libraries.

Never had this issue you had though

Mine probably still has the issue with new files- I did not know about this VHD method until earlier today, and I don't think I verified the initial SD card fix for more than a minute or so.

After being on phone with Microsoft support for 2 hours, (1 hour with the Xbox Music team, an hour with the Surface team) a Device 'refresh' fixed the issue I was having. Haven't seen if that's affected anything else yet.


Have you all been able to use the VHD method and have it be the default save location?

Originally Posted by mattgrif

I had that same problem then I realized I could use a VHD. I wrote up a blog about how to do this with a VHD and enable indexing on the VHD.

Configure Surface to use MicroSD as Primary Storage | Matt Blogs IT

Hi Matt, thanks for this guide! I'm probably being stupid here but when I try to allocate space to the VHD it comes back with an error message saying it can't complete the operation due to a file system limitation. Does the SD card have to be empty, even if I'm only trying to allocate the GBs of available free space?

Thanks! Although I went with the RemoteSigned policy rather than full unrestricted. Lets local scripts run unsigned but web scripts/etc still require signing.

Originally Posted by rOIVAz

Hi Matt, thanks for this guide! I'm probably being stupid here but when I try to allocate space to the VHD it comes back with an error message saying it can't complete the operation due to a file system limitation. Does the SD card have to be empty, even if I'm only trying to allocate the GBs of available free space?

You must format the sd card to NTFS not the default exFAT. Also I found that my vhd file extension was vhd not vhdx.

Mark

Originally Posted by docbot

You must format the sd card to NTFS not the default exFAT. Also I found that my vhd file extension was vhd not vhdx.

Thanks - I knew it would be something obvious! I'll give this a go tonight.

This worked really well for me when I first did it but for some reason now when I open my pictures app all I see are the file names but no images.

If I go back to file explorer in the desktop they are all there in the VHD I created and if I double click on a picture there it takes me back into the pictures app and displays the picture correctly.

Any ideas as to what's happening?

For people still having some sort of problems, you might want to try following:
1) Go to index options, check if all the locations that you need are included
2) Go to index options -> advanced to rebuild indexes

Worked for me...

Originally Posted by yaoye78

For people still having some sort of problems, you might want to try following:
1) Go to index options, check if all the locations that you need are included
2) Go to index options -> advanced to rebuild indexes

Worked for me...

thanks yaoye78 - that really helped. I still have a few 'blank' folders and images in the pictures app but it's soooo much better than it was before (+ I noticed that the issue was affecting my music as well which wasn't being recognised - and re-indexing seems to have fixed that too).