Spotlight/finder search shows multiple apps/files

Question

Level 1

11 points

Spotlight/finder search shows multiple apps/files

Hi guys

When I search something in spotlight or finder, the application Aperture for example, I always receive multiple entries of it, sometimes upto 4 of the same. The same is said for files and folders, pretty much anything and they are always the same path. I am 100% sure I have no duplicates or anything like external drives connected.

I'm not new to Mac and run 3 systems, 2x Mountain Lion and 1x Mavericks. The Mac mini running 10.8.4 doesn't do it but the MacBook Pro's running 10.8.4 and 10.9 both do it the same. Obviously this isn't the place to talk about 10.9 but has anyone had experience of this under 10.8.x?

I have rebuilt the Launch Services database which is responsible for multiple applications in the "open with" list but this seems unrelated and I wasn't experiencing this issue. Repairing permissions and repairing disk also had no impact.

One thing that is interesting, in finder search I have multiple last opened dates and even when I click on an "older" version it opens the same file exactly.

Any ideas most welcome?

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 2, 2013 11:51 AM

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Answer 1

CT

Level 7

24,281 points

Jul 2, 2013 12:09 PM in response to Tom Lindley

I would try rebuilding the spotlight index.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2409

It will take a while to rebuild the index.

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Answer 2

Tom Lindley Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:18 PM in response to CT

Great suggestion but it didn't work I'm afraid.

I have also trashed the finder preference file to no avail.

Any more sugegstions gladly welcomed.

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:25 PM in response to Tom Lindley

How many connected volumes do you have with Aperture on them?

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Answer 4

Tom Lindley Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:34 PM in response to macjack

None, it is just on my root drive. All of them show the same path, it is literally multiple entries of the exact same file.

It is inconsistent however as if I search iTunes I get 4 entries plus the Top Hit, but searching iTunes in Finder only shows 1.

It is teh same across Apple and 3rd party apps too but it doesn't find multiples in spotlight for anything in the Utilities folder on testing.

On the machine I use 10.9 Mavericks, it's interesting to note that the new "Tags" also give me multiple entries of exactly the same file but this time in multiples of 3.

Reinstalling the OS doesn't fix it too.

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Answer 5

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:42 PM in response to Tom Lindley

I don't know what to make of it. I can't reproduce that issue running from only my internal drive with no others. connected.You really should address this on the developer forums, since you're mentioning a beta you shouldn't be mentioning.

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Answer 6

Scyanide

Level 1

38 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:51 PM in response to Tom Lindley

The apps that are shown duplicated do they also show duplicated in the "Open With..." dialog when command clicking (right clicking) a file?

If yes or not sure try running this in the terminal:

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchSe rvices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

Then just restart Finder with Control + Option and click on the Finder icon. You'll see in the menu "Relaunch..." click that.

http://scyanide.com/2012/11/fix-duplicate-open-with-application-entries-in-os-x/

It may be similar issue but not sure.

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Answer 7

Tom Lindley Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:51 PM in response to macjack

Agreed and I have, but this isn't a 10.9 issue, it is the same behaviour on 10.8 on a MacBook Pro that I use everyday. The 10.9 machine is just for testing and I only pointed out the tagging issue as it is indicative of a file structure problem carried over from Mountain Lion.

I guess it is just a case of waiting till it's time to go over to 10.9 fully and doing a fresh install as it must be something locked in my current system. Google throws up no suggestions and it's an easy thing to live with for now, albeit not ideal.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

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Answer 8

Tom Lindley Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:54 PM in response to Scyanide

Thanks, tried that one too but i'm not exhibiting that issue. I only have single entries of recommended apps in the "open with" list.

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Answer 9

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Jul 2, 2013 1:58 PM in response to Tom Lindley

Tom Lindley wrote:

Agreed and I have, but this isn't a 10.9 issue,

Yes, that's true, so no use dragging it in.

A fresh install should clear it up but what about when you migrate?

Or, do you plan to do a ground up clean install and copy only your own data?

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Answer 10

Tom Lindley Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 2, 2013 2:07 PM in response to macjack

I'll try a complete fresh install, migrate and if the problem persists do it the long(er) way.

Another interesting thing is I get the exact same behaviour when I set up a new user account and fast switch to it. So this would indicate a wider problem than my user account Finder preferences.

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Answer 11

Scyanide

Level 1

38 points

Jul 2, 2013 2:04 PM in response to Tom Lindley

Heh, I feel silly, I must have completely skipped over the part where you already tried the step I mentioned in your first post. Sorry about that.

I'm browsing around right now seeing if I can't find anything on it but not much luck at the moment. I am curious, is this issue limited to just your user account or is this popping up with other users? For example, could you create a new user now and see if the issue still exists?

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