So like an idiot I typed a search term into the Media Browser search and hit return before I realized that it was currently looking at the root of my WAV/Loop collection, which sadly (thanks to Computer Music Magazine, Noiiz, The Loop Loft, Ultimate RMX, Zero-G and decades of ACID libraries) is over 800,000 files and 1TB of storage.  Just enumerating all the file names takes forever, but the Media Browser's search has no way to abort.  I tried every key combination I could think of but it doesn't seem to have any abort support (or a cylon/on-going style progress bar).  So basically SONAR locks up tight giving me the deadly choice of killing the process and losing everything I haven't saved or going down to the DMV to get my drivers license renewed.
 
Is there any chance Cakewalk could consider adding some sort of abort to this nightmare? 
 
And yes I realize checking for a key and refreshing the window for a process indicator will slow the search down, but in this case I'd think it's worth it.  And no I don't want you to create a database "feature" to index my 800,000 files for me.  That would eat the better part of my life re-indexing every time I start SONAR.  I just want to be able to hit ESC or press an Abort/Cancel button in the Media Browser status area to stop the recursive search.

I would like to see the media browser get an update in the near future.
they have made some improvements but I still think they could enhance certain aspects of it.
specially in the media tab.
 
My only advice is to take advantage of the save location feature in the browsers media tab.
I use it quite a bit for saving folder index's/locations. I know it isn't much help but at least here's a small bump anyway  
 
FYI- if you are searching a separate HD that is separate from what Sonar is installed on, the HD needs a few seconds to wake upon searching. I know my EXT HD's are in sleep mode and I see this quite a bit.

I'm in agreement with Chuck . I use the browser pretty much the same as he mentioned .
I also feel that the browser in SONAR may be in need of an overhaul ...
 
Why can't we have more than one browser open,  in play and in perfect sync ?
Sounds like a stretch huh ?  well if you think it is , it really isn't
Out of respect for our forum hosts music company I won't post pics of a DAW on my computer that currently has 5 open browsers pointing to 5 different locations on my HD , playing loops and samples in sync ...
The thing is I could have went with 1 , 2 , 5 , 7 , 12 , or any other number of different browsers all pointing to different places ...Loops , samples , plugs  , tunes, mix's , midi files ..ect ect...
This type of thing is already out there ...I'm surprised that people aren't asking for it
I did place a feature request for this last year ..it was largely ignored 
 
Kenny

Bring up the Task manager and kill the process. Ctrl-Alt-Del

msorrelse - I agree, there should be a way to abort a search in the Media Browser. Been there, done that... :P Maybe by pressing ESC?
 
mudgel - Killing the Sonar process is not a neat way to cancel a search...

mudgel
Bring up the Task manager and kill the process. Ctrl-Alt-Del

Kill what process ? Sonar ?
I must agree with cyberzip, im not sure this is the cleanest way to cure a browser issue.

msorrels
.........
So basically SONAR locks up tight giving me the deadly choice of killing the process and losing everything I haven't saved or........

I was simply restating the OP's comment as the only thing to do under the circumstances.
Not ideal but I didn't see an alternate method offered. Lots of "Cakewalk should do this or that", but that's yet to come if it does. In the meantime there doesn't seem to be an alternative.

msorrels
And no I don't want you to create a database "feature" to index my 800,000 files for me.  That would eat the better part of my life re-indexing every time I start SONAR.

Well, a database would be the best way of doing it really. But no, not rescanning every time you start Sonar! Perhaps Sonar could come with a utility that can run in the background when Sonar is idle or not running or when the computer is idle, that can scan your audio directories. Or have you import/rescan your libraries manually - either complete and/or individual directories. That way a search will be virtually instantaneous and the browser, in general, would be faster and potentially have more functionality and all without losing any productivity.
 
In the meantime, there is no need for an abort search button, because once a user with lots of content does one search and realises Sonar can't deal with it, the solution is simply to kill Sonar and never bother using the search feature again!

We'll look into a cancel.