how to exclude Parallels (Windows) applications from Spotlight results

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Level 2

221 points

how to exclude Parallels (Windows) applications from Spotlight results

Spotlight sometimes puts Windows applications (that live inside my Parallels installation) as the top hit in a Spotlight search. How do I prevent this?

Posted on Dec 15, 2012 10:22 AM

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Answer 1

Kurt Lang

Level 9

70,493 points

Dec 15, 2012 11:39 AM in response to Michael Levin

Open the System Preferences and click on Spotlight, then the Privacy tab. Drag and drop your Windows partition, or drive image into the Window. Spotlight will no longer index that drive.

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Answer 2

Michael Levin Author

Level 2

221 points

Dec 15, 2012 12:50 PM in response to Kurt Lang

Thanks! I also found another, more specific way: I added the ~/Library(Windows) folder to the Privacy tab - turns out, Windows programs have some sort of link on the Mac file system as well.

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Answer 3

Kurt Lang

Level 9

70,493 points

Dec 15, 2012 12:57 PM in response to Michael Levin

Ah, good, you found it. That is what I meant by the drive image. I just didn't know where Parallels kept that on the drive, so couldn't direct you to it. That should do it.

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