Comments on: How to Disable (or Enable) Spotlight in Mac OS X Mountain Lion http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/ News, tips, software, reviews, and more for Mac OS X, iPhone, iPad Sun, 19 May 2013 22:41:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Martin http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-528680 Martin Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:39:15 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-528680 Thanks, useful. I had a corrupt file system that I could not repair because spotlight kept causing a kernel panic as soon as it tried to mount. Completely killing spotlight allowed the system to be repaired. However, I must point-out. Your sentence "This will effect indexing on all drives connected to the Mac." is a perfect example of the difference between affect and effect and has the oposite meaning from the one you intend. You meant all indexing will be *affected* which is the same as saying NO INDEXING will be *effected*! Thanks, useful. I had a corrupt file system that I could not repair because spotlight kept causing a kernel panic as soon as it tried to mount. Completely killing spotlight allowed the system to be repaired.

However, I must point-out. Your sentence “This will effect indexing on all drives connected to the Mac.” is a perfect example of the difference between affect and effect and has the oposite meaning from the one you intend. You meant all indexing will be *affected* which is the same as saying NO INDEXING will be *effected*!

]]> By: MArC http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-515958 MArC Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:41:02 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-515958 Why is it, when someone using Mac OS asks a perfectly valid technical operating system question, who is presumably interested in Unix/BSD security or tweaking their system for speed, battery life, stability, efficiency or whatever, on Mac forums or countless Blogs, - why is there always one who (obviously being ignorant or not interested in the technical aspects of computer operating systems themselves) decides to pipe up and type out with something unhelpful like ' leave it alone ' 'why would you want to do something like that 'or ' dont touch it ' ? while knowing nothing ? This mindset is that of an ignorant smug 'Apple fan' who think Apple know best and let Apple do all their thinking. its smug, unhelpful, small-minded lazy thinking, zealot-like in the extreme and makes non Apple users laugh at their ignorance, while making real tech savvy people irritated beyond belief. 99% of this philistine mindset is curiously only in the Apple world, and is makes them seem foolish, most folks, while knowing little or nothing say nothing and read to learn, but 'dont touch it' zealots are oddly very vocal. that say an empty can rattles the loudest.. by the way Apple zealots, trust your government. stay in line. shut p and dont ask questions. Why is it, when someone using Mac OS asks a perfectly valid technical operating system question, who is presumably interested in Unix/BSD security or tweaking their system for speed, battery life, stability, efficiency or whatever, on Mac forums or countless Blogs, – why is there always one who (obviously being ignorant or not interested in the technical aspects of computer operating systems themselves) decides to pipe up and type out with something unhelpful like ‘ leave it alone ‘ ‘why would you want to do something like that ‘or ‘ dont touch it ‘ ? while knowing nothing ?

This mindset is that of an ignorant smug ‘Apple fan’ who think Apple know best and let Apple do all their thinking. its smug, unhelpful, small-minded lazy thinking, zealot-like in the extreme and makes non Apple users laugh at their ignorance, while making real tech savvy people irritated beyond belief.

99% of this philistine mindset is curiously only in the Apple world, and is makes them seem foolish, most folks, while knowing little or nothing say nothing and read to learn, but ‘dont touch it’ zealots are oddly very vocal. that say an empty can rattles the loudest.. by the way Apple zealots, trust your government. stay in line. shut p and dont ask questions.

]]> By: ungars http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-498203 ungars Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:53:04 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-498203 mdutil(1) BSD General Commands Manual mdutil(1) NAME mdutil -- manage the metadata stores used by Spotlight SYNOPSIS mdutil [-pEsav] [-i on | off] mountPoint ... DESCRIPTION The mdutil command is useful for managing the metadata stores for mounted volumes. The following options are available: -p Spotlight caches indexes of some network devices locally. This option requests that a local caches be flushed to the appropriate network device. -E This flag will cause each local store for the volumes indicated to be erased. The stores will be rebuilt if appropriate. -i on | off Sets the indexing status for the provided volumes to on or off. Note that indexing may be delayed due to low disk space or other conditions. -s Display the indexing status of the listed volumes. -a Apply command to all volumes. -v Print verbose information when available. SEE ALSO mdfind(1), mds(8), mdimport(1) Mac OS X September 1, 2005 Mac OS X (END) mdutil(1) BSD General Commands Manual mdutil(1)

NAME
mdutil — manage the metadata stores used by Spotlight

SYNOPSIS
mdutil [-pEsav] [-i on | off] mountPoint …

DESCRIPTION
The mdutil command is useful for managing the metadata stores for mounted volumes.

The following options are available:

-p Spotlight caches indexes of some network devices locally. This option requests that a
local caches be flushed to the appropriate network device.

-E This flag will cause each local store for the volumes indicated to be erased. The stores
will be rebuilt if appropriate.

-i on | off
Sets the indexing status for the provided volumes to on or off. Note that indexing may be
delayed due to low disk space or other conditions.

-s Display the indexing status of the listed volumes.

-a Apply command to all volumes.

-v Print verbose information when available.

SEE ALSO
mdfind(1), mds(8), mdimport(1)

Mac OS X September 1, 2005 Mac OS X
(END)

]]> By: ungars http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-498202 ungars Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:51:08 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-498202 There is no file /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.Spotlight.plist in LION ? There is no file /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.Spotlight.plist

in LION ?

]]> By: ungars http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-498201 ungars Sun, 17 Feb 2013 10:49:56 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-498201 sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist

]]> By: MacCentric http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-497302 MacCentric Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:27:59 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-497302 Also, when I tried to to add/remove the HD from the Spotlight privacy prefpane and was told: Privacy List Error The item couldn't be added or removed because you don't have the appropriate permissions. I'm guessing this will likely end in a clean system install, but I'm open to suggestions. Also, when I tried to to add/remove the HD from the Spotlight privacy prefpane and was told:
Privacy List Error
The item couldn’t be added or removed because you don’t have the appropriate permissions.

I’m guessing this will likely end in a clean system install, but I’m open to suggestions.

]]> By: MacCentric http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-497298 MacCentric Sat, 16 Feb 2013 19:24:59 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-497298 I recovered a failing partition to a new drive. It looked like most everything copied except for some garageband files. But on restarting from the new drive, spotlight wasn't even there. So I repaired permissions, installed the 10.7.5 combo update, and ran Onyx. After restart, Spotlight icon was back, but didn't return any results. I tried the following in Terminal: sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort. Password: com.apple.metadata.mds: Already loaded Peters-MacBook-Pro:~ peter$ sudo mdutil -E / Spotlight server is disabled. Peters-MacBook-Pro:~ peter$ sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist com.apple.metadata.mds: Already loaded Peters-MacBook-Pro:~ peter$ sudo mdutil -a -i on Password: Spotlight server is disabled. Any ideas where to go from here? I recovered a failing partition to a new drive. It looked like most everything copied except for some garageband files. But on restarting from the new drive, spotlight wasn’t even there. So I repaired permissions, installed the 10.7.5 combo update, and ran Onyx. After restart, Spotlight icon was back, but didn’t return any results. I tried the following in Terminal:

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist

To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort.

Password:
com.apple.metadata.mds: Already loaded
Peters-MacBook-Pro:~ peter$ sudo mdutil -E /
Spotlight server is disabled.
Peters-MacBook-Pro:~ peter$ sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
com.apple.metadata.mds: Already loaded
Peters-MacBook-Pro:~ peter$ sudo mdutil -a -i on
Password:
Spotlight server is disabled.

Any ideas where to go from here?

]]> By: megadr01d http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-489677 megadr01d Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:54:05 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-489677 If you just want to prevent indexing on some HDs (for example, stop indexing your external and keep indexing your boot volume, for Mail search functionality, etc.) just create a new empty file at each HD's root, named .metadata_never_index You can of course add your HDs to the Privacy tab of Spotlight's Preferences but I found it doesn't work with some HDs (eg. FAT32). If you just want to prevent indexing on some HDs (for example, stop indexing your external and keep indexing your boot volume, for Mail search functionality, etc.) just create a new empty file at each HD’s root, named

.metadata_never_index

You can of course add your HDs to the Privacy tab of Spotlight’s Preferences but I found it doesn’t work with some HDs (eg. FAT32).

]]> By: Charlie Brown http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-483857 Charlie Brown Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:07:09 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-483857 I couldn't agree more, Andy. It's interesting because I always liked these system-indexing services. For example, I just love (yes, I DO!) how Windows 7 indexes my main folders, even though I have very good control over it. Spotlight seems to depend on the weather to do its job. Works great for some, and for others, like me and you, it's near disaster. I'd rather keep on good and old Locate/UpdateDB (recently came from Linux), most of the time my searches are for file names. But what it's better: even if it doesn't come ready-made in the OS, we can choose! ;-) Thank you all of you guys, great hint about disabling the search button and also for your opinions. I couldn’t agree more, Andy. It’s interesting because I always liked these system-indexing services. For example, I just love (yes, I DO!) how Windows 7 indexes my main folders, even though I have very good control over it. Spotlight seems to depend on the weather to do its job. Works great for some, and for others, like me and you, it’s near disaster. I’d rather keep on good and old Locate/UpdateDB (recently came from Linux), most of the time my searches are for file names.

But what it’s better: even if it doesn’t come ready-made in the OS, we can choose! ;-)

Thank you all of you guys, great hint about disabling the search button and also for your opinions.

]]> By: andy selby http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-480851 andy selby Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:34:20 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-480851 I've been disabling Spotlight for years as it always and consistently ends up running amok. Things will be okay for a while, but then out of nowhere "mdsworker" and other processes related to it will start going crazy. The HD never stops working and the searches themselves get glacial. The amount of work the process taxes the system with gets more and more ridiculous over time. The difference between a machine running Spotlight and one not running it is incredible. I really don't care about the App Store, not while I'm still in Snow Leopard. Maybe it will be a problem when I have to go to Lion or ML someday. For now however, it can go back to the dark hell hole from whence it came. I've used all the above described terminal methods to do so. However, the most fail safe method (and easiest to recover from) is using and app called Spotless. Yes, it is a GUI front end to all those commands, but it does a spectacular job of keeping me out of the terminal. That and Onyx to disable the Spotlight icon and my MacBook Pro runs so much more calmly and stably. The only thing you really lose is the App Store, which means nothing to me. I love Apple, but draconian moves like that crap hole make me wonder where the vision is coming from these days. I’ve been disabling Spotlight for years as it always and consistently ends up running amok. Things will be okay for a while, but then out of nowhere “mdsworker” and other processes related to it will start going crazy. The HD never stops working and the searches themselves get glacial. The amount of work the process taxes the system with gets more and more ridiculous over time. The difference between a machine running Spotlight and one not running it is incredible. I really don’t care about the App Store, not while I’m still in Snow Leopard. Maybe it will be a problem when I have to go to Lion or ML someday. For now however, it can go back to the dark hell hole from whence it came.

I’ve used all the above described terminal methods to do so. However, the most fail safe method (and easiest to recover from) is using and app called Spotless. Yes, it is a GUI front end to all those commands, but it does a spectacular job of keeping me out of the terminal. That and Onyx to disable the Spotlight icon and my MacBook Pro runs so much more calmly and stably. The only thing you really lose is the App Store, which means nothing to me. I love Apple, but draconian moves like that crap hole make me wonder where the vision is coming from these days.

]]> By: wiretap http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-474826 wiretap Sun, 13 Jan 2013 05:12:56 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-474826 Use Onyx (free) and you can turn it off/on any time. Use Onyx (free) and you can turn it off/on any time.

]]> By: rich http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-459883 rich Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:58:14 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-459883 Yep. Same for mountain lion. sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist doesnt work sudo mdutil -a -i on does Yep. Same for mountain lion.

sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist

doesnt work

sudo mdutil -a -i on

does

]]> By: Geoffrey http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-445329 Geoffrey Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:25:45 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-445329 I tried the method for disabeling my spotlight while I downloaded from another drive but when I tried to turn it back on I got this error... launchctl: Error unloading: com.apple.metadata.mds Any advice? I tried the method for disabeling my spotlight while I downloaded from another drive but when I tried to turn it back on I got this error…

launchctl: Error unloading: com.apple.metadata.mds

Any advice?

]]> By: Sam http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-434070 Sam Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:46:39 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-434070 I can't enable spotlight. I get the following errors when I try both approaches sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ sudo launchctl load -w com.apple.metadata.mds.plist launchctl: no plist was returned for: com.apple.metadata.mds.plist launchctl: no plist was returned for: com.apple.metadata.mds.plist nothing found to load sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ pwd /System/Library/LaunchDaemons sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ sudo mdutil -a -i off Spotlight server is disabled. sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ sudo mdutil -a -i on Spotlight server is disabled. Any help would be much appreciated! Its driving me mental.... I can’t enable spotlight. I get the following errors when I try both approaches sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ sudo launchctl load -w com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
launchctl: no plist was returned for: com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
launchctl: no plist was returned for: com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
nothing found to load
sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ pwd
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ sudo mdutil -a -i off
Spotlight server is disabled.
sams-macbook:LaunchDaemons samflower$ sudo mdutil -a -i on
Spotlight server is disabled.

Any help would be much appreciated! Its driving me mental….

]]> By: Andy http://osxdaily.com/2011/12/10/disable-or-enable-spotlight-in-mac-os-x-lion/#comment-433862 Andy Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:01:57 +0000 http://osxdaily.com/?p=24716#comment-433862 Thanks for the workaround - with Spotlight disabled Time Machine is functioning normally again... Hope Apple fix the problem with 10.7.5 soon. Thanks for the workaround – with Spotlight disabled Time Machine is functioning normally again… Hope Apple fix the problem with 10.7.5 soon.

]]>