In Ubuntu (GNOME desktop), pressing the Super key (the Windows key) opens the Activities Overview. From here, you can start typing to search for applications. However, by default, Ubuntu also uses this search bar to comb through your personal files, recent documents, system settings, and even your web browsing history.
If you use your computer in a shared office space or frequently share your screen during video calls, this is a massive privacy risk. Simply typing the first three letters of an application name might accidentally reveal sensitive financial documents or private photos that happen to share those letters in their filename. You can configure the Activities search to only look for applications, completely hiding your personal file history.
How to Disable File Search in Ubuntu Activities Overview
You can restrict the search engine’s scope directly from the Ubuntu Search settings.
- Click the network/battery icon cluster in the top-right corner of the Ubuntu top bar and select Settings (the gear icon).
- In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Search.
- In the main window, you will see a list of everything the GNOME shell is allowed to search through (e.g., Files, Calculator, Characters, Passwords and Keys).
- Scroll through the list and locate the toggle switch for Files.
- Click the toggle switch to turn it Off.
- (Optional) For maximum privacy, you should also turn off the toggle switches for Recent, Passwords and Keys, and any web browser plugins listed.
The changes apply immediately. Press the Super key and type a word you know exists in a document name on your hard drive. Ubuntu will completely ignore your personal files, returning only installed applications that match the query, keeping your private data hidden during screen-sharing sessions.