How to create a database on an external hard drive?

Question

Hard disks

Good afternoon!
There is a number of files that need to be stored on the hard drive.
Need to be able to search by tags or keywords when opening the hard drive.
It would be desirable to be able to encrypt all this, but not necessarily.
I couldn't find any articles other than how to create a complete database, but I need something as simple as a table that will show the paths directly to the file.