What is '~.noindex' folder?

Question

What is '~.noindex' folder?

I have just found a folder in my HD/users/ folder called 'joebloggs.noindex'. This folder is on my MBP running Snow Leopard. The contents of this folder amounts to 1.5gb and seems to be a part backup of my G5 desktop and docs folder which is on the same network. Before I delete this, does anyone know what this is? I don't remember creating this backup but before deleting it I would be happier to know what it is and how it has been created.

G5 dual 1.8ghz and MBP 2.66ghz, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 24, 2009 8:08 AM

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Answer 1

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Oct 24, 2009 8:31 AM in response to John Hutcheson

Adding ".noindex" to a file/folder's name causes it to not be indexed by Spotlight, so you won't be able to find it (or its contents) using Spotlight. I don't know what that particular folder is for, as I don't have such a folder. I suspect some software created it, but don't know what or what it might be for. If you plan to delete it, I'd advise moving it to the Trash first, but don't empty. Leave it there for as long as it takes for you to be sure all your apps are behaving correctly, then empty the trash if you're problem-free.

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Answer 2

Oct 24, 2009 8:40 AM in response to thomas_r.

I think this folder will be created by migrating from one mac to an other via the migration assistant.

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Answer 3

Oct 24, 2009 8:58 AM in response to timo.runge

Thanks, this makes some sense. The MBP is fairly new and I think that I did start to migrate before aborting.

As suggested, I will move it to the trash and see if anything is affected.

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