Remove Windows OS Applications from Spotlight Search.

Hi There,

Is it possible to have Spotlight *not* find Windows-based applications? I tend to use Spotlight to launch applications, and in some cases I inadvertantly click on an app that must run in Parallels. I don't want that to happen because I just don't want to launch Parallels Desktop unless I do so explicitly. I know I can configure Spotlight to catalog certain things, but not others. However, I am more interested in just disabling the applications installed on the Windows guest OS. IUf you have any tips, suggestions, or advice to disable them, please share! Thank you for your time and help!

 

System Preferences/Spotlight/Privacy Click on the "+" button and choose the directory:

/Users/"your home folder"/Applications

to exclude it from the spotlight search.

 

Thank you, that was exactly what I was looking for. Works perfectly!

 

There's a built-in way, don't use that method.

Virtual Machine menu > Configure > Applications section > Disable "Share Windows Applications with Mac"

 

>>> Message has been deleted by the user <<<

 

Unfortunately it won't work. If you remove the application link, it will be put back either when the application is accessed within the VM or when you reboot the VM the Parallels Tools will scan the VM for applications and rebuild the list.

I would love if it could be an option within the preferences to selectively choose which applications are shared to the Mac side.

 

fixed

Go to Spotlight settings. go to privacy and add Application (parallel) folder from user folder to prevent spotlight list

 

Hi JebinS,

Unfortunately, your suggestion is not working, as you can see by this screenshot:



Steps taken:
- System Preferences > Spotlight
- Added "Applications (Parallels)" folder to Privacy (excludes)
- Restarted


Please advise - how can I keep the Parallels Windows 10 shortcuts from showing up in Spotlight?

 

Hi @TerranO , please let us know how may virtual machines you have.

 

Hi Arun, sorry how to check how many VM I have on Parallels 13?

 

You can check the number of virtual machines on Parallels Desktop Control Center. Confirm if you like to disable Application sharing or just Spotlight search result.