To exclude a location from Spotlight searches, click the Add button, then select a folder or disk. You can also drag folders or disks into the list. If you exclude a Time Machine backup disk, you will continue to see messages that Spotlight is indexing it. This indexing is necessary for Time Machine to function properly and can’t be disabled. Finally Close Spotlight preferences. Mac OS X Spotlight will reindex the contents of volume or folder. Reindex Spotlight using Terminal command 1. Open Terminal app from Applications - Utilities folder. Type or paste the following command. Sudo mdutil -E /. Force Spotlight Indexing on macOS by Rian. With the release of High Sierra, I assume most Mac users had a chance to upgrade any number of drives to APFS from HFS+. Now you may have noticed it by now, but apparently High Sierra has shipped with some glitches in APFS related tools. How To: Force Index Hard Drive or Folder in Mac OS X Spotlight The latest version of Mac OS X automatically indexes files, folders, and drives unless you explicitly tell it not too. This Mac OS X indexing service is called Spotlight.
What does Spotlight do?
Spotlight feature is one of Mac’s best features, allowing you to search for files, folders, documents, apps, and files from one central place with just a keyword or two. It uses an indexed database of the disks and files on your system to make locating items fast, simple, and effective.
It’s a tool we wouldn’t want to be without… When it works. Because sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it acts up and doesn’t return the expected results. If that’s the case for you — Spotlight not performing like you’re used to — keep reading as we show you how to rebuild the Spotlight index to return it back to its brilliant best.
If Spotlight isn’t indexing how it should or you’d like to stop it from indexing completely, we’ll also show you how to disable the feature.
How to rebuild the Spotlight index: The manual way
Rebuilding the Spotlight index sounds like a big job and it is, for Mac. For you it’s straightforward.
- Go to System Preferences > Spotlight, then click the Privacy tab.
- In the Privacy tab, click the + button to find your Mac’s startup disk (most likely called “Macintosh HD”). Alternatively, you can drag your disk from your desktop into the Privacy tab.
- Hit OK when the “are you sure” pop-up window displays.
- Now, click the '-' button to remove the disk from the Privacy tab — this will force Spotlight to reindex the disk.
- Click on the Spotlight icon and begin entering a search. Spotlight will display a status bar to show the progress of the indexing. When this bar no longer appears, the indexing is complete.
You can also rebuild the Spotlight index in the Terminal by opening a new Terminal window and entering the following command:
Rebuilding the Spotlight index: The easy way
If you’d prefer not to be dipping into the Privacy settings or using the Terminal, there is a safe and quick way to get Spotlight working as it should — CleanMyMac X. This app comes with a handy Maintenance feature that lets you rebuild the Spotlight index in just a few clicks.
All you should do to reindex Spotlight is to download the app (you can do that here for free) and launch it. Then:
- Click on Maintenance.
- Tick Reindex Spotlight.
- Hit Run.
That's it! Sit back while the tool takes care of the rest.
How to disable Spotlight on Mac
Macos Sierra How To Force Indexing For Spotlight 2
If Spotlight is proving more of a hindrance than a help, you can disable it or set it to stop indexing selected items.
To turn off Spotlight, go to Utilities > Terminal and enter the following command:
Hit Enter and Spotlight will be a burden no longer.
If you change your mind and want to give Spotlight a second chance, enter the following command:
If you’d like to keep certain items out of the Spotlight index, go to System Preferences > Spotlight and uncheck any items that you’d prefer not to be indexed.
Rebuilding the Spotlight index is a resource-heavy task and your system will perform well below its best during the process. Therefore, it’s worth performing this procedure when you don’t need to use your Mac for anything important or time-sensitive. As you’ll more than likely have to perform a reindex a couple of times a year, it’s worth using a tool like CleanMyMac X.
Cheers! Stay tuned!
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If you use your Mac every day for work and your personal life, chances are you have a lot of files, photos, folders, documents, and other data all over your Mac. It can make finding one specific file a pain in the butt. Luckily, Spotlight lets you search your Mac for pretty much anything, making it easy to find whatever you need. Here's how to use Spotlight on Mac.
What Spotlight can help you find
Spotlight helps you find pretty much anything on your Mac. It indexes the contents of your Mac's hard drive to make it easier to find documents, emails, apps, music, contacts, and other information. It can also help you find information on the web, perform equations, and now in High Sierra, it can even find your flight information.
How to access and use Spotlight in macOS
- Click on the Spotlight button in the menu bar, it looks like a magnifying glass. Or, use the Command + Space keyboard shortcut. The Spotlight search field will appear in the middle of your screen.
- Type in your search query. Spotlight will return results as you type.
![Macos sierra how to force indexing for spotlight free Macos sierra how to force indexing for spotlight free](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126601929/589232145.jpg)
If Spotlight isn't finding what you're looking for, you can adjust its search results to be optimized for what you need. You can also exclude specific locations of your hard disk to prevent Spotlight from searching information you'd prefer to keep private.
How to customize Spotlight search results
- Click on the Apple menu button on the top left of your screen.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click on Spotlight.
- Click the Checkbox beside the category to change what Spotlight will show you. If it has a checkmark, then those results will be displayed; if it doesn't, then those results will not be displayed.
How to hide content from Spotlight search
If you have sensitive documents in a certain location that you never want to be searched, you can tell Spotlight to not look in those locations.
- Click on the Apple menu button on the top left of your screen.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click on Spotlight.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Click on the add button. It's the + sign at the bottom left of the window.
- Click the item you don't want Spotlight to search for.
- Click Choose.
Questions?
Need any more help with Spotlight? Let us know in the comments below.
![Sierra Sierra](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126601929/938249003.jpg)
Updated September 2019: Updated for macOS Catalina.
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