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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?

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  • Have you tried moving the launcher out of /usr/share/applications? Apr 16, 2016 at 15:30
  • when I try to do that, it tells me permission not allowed even though I am admin Apr 16, 2016 at 17:32
  • You may be an admin, but in Ubutnu (unlike Windows xp), you need to use sudo to do things outside the home dir. For example, sudo mv /user/share/applications/some-name.desktop /opt. Apr 16, 2016 at 18:32
  • Wait Mike, can you tell me what that command means and how I should edit it to fit Steam? Apr 16, 2016 at 19:40
  • See the answer below. Apr 16, 2016 at 20:11

2 Answers 2

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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.

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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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  • Okay so I got up until the 3rd step. Where do I put the "Action" thing or whatever? Apr 16, 2016 at 20:33
  • @ARS The Actions= line already exists in the file. You need to add the line NoDisplay=true somewhere before that line. Apr 16, 2016 at 20:34
  • @ARS do you manage? Apr 16, 2016 at 20:44
  • @ARS if the answer solved your problem, as you indicated, would you be so kind to accept the answer (tick the big "V" below the up/down arrows on the left). It is the appropriate way to indicate the answer worked for you. Apr 17, 2016 at 5:11

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