Chapter 13 FAQ and Troubleshooting

This chapter collects common AIClue questions and troubleshooting methods. When you encounter a problem, first confirm that directories have finished scanning, then check the current search, filter, account, and settings states.

13.1 Installation and Startup

Q: Where can I download AIClue?

Download the Windows installer from the AIClue download page.

Q: What should I do if AIClue cannot start after installation?

Check in this order:

Confirm that the computer has enough free space.
Restart the computer and open AIClue again.
If the system shows a security block, confirm that the installer source is trusted, then allow it to run according to the system prompt.
If it still cannot start, record the error message for later troubleshooting.

If the prompt says the current runtime environment is not suitable, install and run the app on the computer’s internal drive first.

13.2 Directories and Scanning

Q: Why does the file list not appear after I add a directory?

After a directory is added, AIClue starts scanning automatically. If there are many files, results may take some time to appear gradually.

Check:

Enter Directory Management from the left sidebar and confirm that the directory is in the list.
Check whether the directory is still scanning.
Wait for background processing to finish, then return to the Workbench.

For more information, see Chapter 4 Directory Management and File Scanning.

Q: Why did adding a directory fail?

Common reasons include:

The directory does not exist, or the current user does not have access permission.
The directory has already been added, or it overlaps with an added parent or child directory.
On Windows, the selected path is the system drive root, an important system directory, or the AIClue app directory.
The selected path is on a network location or removable drive, and the corresponding scan exclusion switch is enabled.

On Windows, a non-system fixed drive root can be added. AIClue still skips protected or excluded subfolders during scanning. If you are unsure whether a location can be scanned, use Settings > Scan Exclusions > Path Check.

Q: Why were some files not scanned?

Common reasons include:

The directory containing the file has not been added to the directory list.
The file is under a path or file type covered by scan exclusion rules.
The file is inside a hidden folder, network path, removable drive, system location, or other area skipped by scan exclusion switches.
The file type is not in the current support scope.
The file is occupied by the system or another program and cannot be read temporarily.
The file was just added and background processing has not completed.

If you confirm the file should be scanned, use Settings > Scan Exclusions > Path Check to check its location first. After adjusting settings if needed, rescan the related folder in Directory Management, or wait for AIClue to finish checking again.

Q: Does removing a directory delete files on disk?

No. Removing a directory only makes AIClue stop managing records for that directory. It does not delete source files on disk.

13.3 Search and Filtering

Q: What should I do if I cannot find a file?

Troubleshoot in this order:

Confirm that the directory containing the file has been added and scanned.
Try searching with a short keyword from the file name first.
Clear tag filters, directory filters, and exclusion conditions, then try again.
Check whether the file is excluded in Settings > Scan Exclusions > Path Check.
Check whether this file type is within the support scope.
If the file was just modified or moved, rescan the related directory.

Ordinary keywords must contain at least two characters. A single letter, number, or Chinese character does not start a keyword search. Entering a file or folder location on your computer opens location browsing, and entering @ shows project workspace suggestions.

Search modes and filter entries are explained in Chapter 5 Search and Filtering.

Q: Why are there fewer search results than expected?

Filter conditions may be limiting the results. Check these items in the top bar or file list header:

Tag filter
Directory filter
File type filter
Current search mode

If you are unsure which item is affecting results, clear all filters first, then add conditions one by one.

Q: Why are there more search results than expected?

Try:

Use a more complete keyword.
Switch search mode.
Add directory filters or tag filters.
Use file type filtering to narrow the scope.

13.4 File Viewing and File Operations

Q: What should I do if a file cannot be previewed?

Possible reasons include:

The current file type does not support built-in preview.
The file is large and needs more time to load.
The file is damaged, encrypted, or requires dedicated software.
The file has been moved, deleted, or occupied by another program.

Try using Open File to open it with the system default app, or use Open File Location to confirm that the file still exists.

The copy path entry is at the top of the preview area after you select a file. The file list more menu currently mainly provides operations such as opening the file and reading its content again.

Q: What does reading file content again do?

When file content has just changed, preview information is incomplete, or search results have not updated yet, you can ask AIClue to read that file again. Large files may take some time to process.

13.5 Tags, Classification, and File Types

Q: How do I exclude a type of file with tag filtering?

In the tag filter panel, hold Shift and click a tag to set that tag as an exclusion condition. Click a selected condition again to cancel the filter.

Q: Why did old files not change after I changed file type settings?

Newly scanned files are classified according to the new extension rules. For files that have already been recorded, if the classification display does not change, rescan the related directories in Directory Management.

For more information, see Chapter 9 Tags and Classification.

13.6 Finding Duplicate Files

Q: Why were no duplicate files found?

Possible reasons include:

Directory scanning has not finished.
The directory containing duplicate files has not been added to AIClue.
The file content is not exactly the same, even if file names are similar.
The current type filter hides some duplicate results.

Clear the type filters on the duplicate detection page, then choose Check Again.

Q: Are checked files kept or deleted on the duplicate detection page?

Checked files are copies that will be deleted. Unchecked files are kept.

Before deleting, expand duplicate groups and confirm that each group keeps at least one needed file.

Q: Can I restore files after duplicate cleanup?

Duplicate cleanup moves selected files to the system recycle bin. If you discover a mistake, restore them from the system recycle bin as soon as possible.

13.7 Account and Feature Access

Q: What should I do after the anonymous trial ends?

Open Account Center to register or log in. Account Center shows the current user state, remaining trial time, and available features.

Q: What should I do if a feature is unavailable?

Handle it in this order:

Enter Account Center and check the current user state.
Click Sync Access to refresh feature access.
If the prompt says login state expired, log in again.
If the prompt says the account service cannot be reached, check the network and try again later.

For more information, see Chapter 11 Account and Feature Access.

Q: What should I do if I forgot my password?

Open the Account tab in Account Center and select Reset Password. Enter your email and complete the security verification shown on the page, then click Send verification code. After you receive the code, enter and confirm a new password. Request another code if the current one is invalid or expired.

13.8 Settings and Maintenance

Q: Does clearing search data delete source files?

No. Clearing search data only clears the file records saved by AIClue. It does not delete source files on disk. After clearing, rescan related directories if you need to continue searching these files.

Q: What does clearing all data affect?

Clearing all data clears file records, directories, project workspaces, and user settings. This operation cannot be undone. Confirm that you no longer need these records before running it.

Q: Why did old results not change immediately after I changed file types or scan exclusion rules?

Some settings first affect later scans or later file changes. If scan exclusion rules become stricter, AIClue may clean up existing records that are now excluded. If rules become looser, matching files may need a background rescan or a manual rescan before they appear again. If file type changes need to apply to existing files, rescan related directories in Directory Management or wait for the background rescan to finish.

Q: How can I reduce background resource usage?

When there are many files, wait for the current scan to finish before running other heavy tasks. If search results are still changing, check directory scan status before repeatedly clearing data and rescanning.

13.9 Uninstall and Data

Q: How do I uninstall AIClue?

In Windows, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find AIClue, choose Uninstall, and follow the prompts. If you also no longer need AIClue’s saved folders, search history, and settings, first clear all data in Settings > Privacy Settings > Data Management.

Current operation steps
Error message shown
Whether you just added directories, changed settings, or updated the app before the problem appeared
Related file type and directory

This information helps locate the problem faster.