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A file appears in search but will not open

Symptoms

A file shows up in search results — possibly with a thumbnail and full details — but opening it or revealing it in Finder / File Explorer fails.

What this usually means

Search runs against the catalogue; opening needs the original file. The two can disagree:

  • The file's drive is disconnected — the most common cause. The catalogue entry is fine; the original is simply unreachable right now.
  • The file was moved, renamed, or deleted after the last scan — the catalogue points at where it was. See A file moved or was renamed.
  • A permissions problem — the operating system will not let ArchiveMind reach that location.

Safe steps to try

  1. Check the result's source repository and its state — if it is offline, reconnect that drive; that is the whole fix.
  2. Look at the file's path in the details view, then check that location yourself in Finder / File Explorer. Is the file actually there, under that exact name?
  3. If it is there but ArchiveMind cannot open it, note any error message shown — on macOS in particular, the message will say honestly when a system permission, not the app, is the blocker; grant access in System Settings if you want ArchiveMind to reach that folder.
  4. If it is not there, the file changed since the last scan — rescan the repository to bring the catalogue up to date.

What not to delete or change

  • Do not delete the catalogue entry in frustration — for a disconnected drive it is your only record of the file.
  • Do not delete the catalogue database.

Information to collect for support

  • The repository's connection state at the time.
  • Whether the file exists at the catalogued path when you check manually.
  • The exact error wording, or a screenshot.
  • The newest archivemind.log — see Finding logs.