The GNOME desktop environment on Ubuntu relies heavily on the “Activities” overview. When you press the Super (Windows) key and type a word to search for an application, Ubuntu also automatically searches your recent file history. It scans your documents, images, and downloads, displaying recently opened files that match your search query directly on the screen.
While this is a powerful productivity tool, it can be a significant privacy issue. If you are presenting your screen during a Zoom meeting or working in a public coffee shop, simply pressing the Super key and typing “budget” or “tax” to launch an app might accidentally display the filenames of highly sensitive financial documents or personal photos to everyone watching.
To protect your privacy, you can instruct Ubuntu to completely ignore your files when performing an Activities search.
How to Disable File Search in the Activities Overview
You can manage exactly what GNOME is allowed to search through in the Settings app.
- Open the Settings app in Ubuntu.
- In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Search.
- At the top of the right pane, you will see a master toggle for Search. Leave that on (otherwise you cannot search for apps).
- Below that, you will see a list of “Search Locations” or specific apps that GNOME queries (e.g., Calculator, Characters, Files, Settings).
- Locate the entry labeled Files.
- Turn the toggle switch next to Files to the Off position.
From now on, when you press the Super key and type a search query, Ubuntu will only search for installed applications and system settings. Your personal files and recent document history will remain completely hidden from the overview screen.