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I have an application that I'd like not to show up when I search for it is Dash. How can I keep the application, but prevent it from being found when I search for it?

Jacob Vlijm
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Matthias Tom
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2 Answers2

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To move the Steam Launcher out of /usr/share/applications, and place it into /opt, use the following command:

sudo mv /usr/share/applications/steam.desktop /opt/

The launcher should still work if you navigate to /opt and doubleclick it. An update of Steam will probably put a new launcher into /usr/share/applications.

For more info on what mv does, see man mv.

mikewhatever
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No need to make any changes that need sudo

How to prevent an application to show up in Dash

  • Copy the corresponding .desktop file from /usr/share/applications to ~/.local/share/applications:

      cp /usr/share/applications/steam.desktop ~/.local/share/applications

  • Open the local copy with gedit:

      gedit ~/.local/share/applications/steam.desktop

  • Add the following line to the head section of the file (before the line, starting with Actions=)

      NoDisplay=true

  • Save the changes, cLose the file, log out and back in and you're done.

To undo

Simply remove the (local) file ~/.local/share/applications/steam.desktop

Explanation

In general, it is considered bad practice to edit global .desktop files. Not only will changes effect all users, but if you fail, the file will be irreplaceable.

A local copy of the file however will (after log out/in) will overrule the global one. Also possible updated launchers in /usr/share/applications will be overruled without further measures.

The line NoDisplay=true will prevent the application to appear in Dash/the Unity Launcher

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Jacob Vlijm
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