MacOS – sort Spotlight results by most-recently-used

macosspotlight

Like everyone else, I use spotlight to open up OSX apps. But I also like to use it to open up a particular log file, or a specific remote desktop connection.

When I search for the osx app, it is usually sorted to the top of the list so I can just type the return key to run it. However, for the log file and the remote connection, they are WAY down the list, so I have to use the mouse to click them. (I know, I am lazy)…

I used to use Launchy when I was on windows, and it would sort my most recently used items or most frequently used items to be at the top, so it was nice and convenient. Is there any way to duplicate this functionality?

Best Answer

I do that in Finder Search window with custom settings.

It looks like this

I save that search in the finder side bar, so now just click it and it shows me the results.

enter image description here

Related Solutions

Spotlight on MacOS – How to Place Dictionary Definitions Higher Up in Results

Finally, I found a hack! I wrote a blog post about this which you can find here (in Chinese).

These are the key steps:

Open the file with Xcode:
```
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.spotlight.plist
```
If you do not have this file, change the order System Preferences → Spotlight which will cause the OS to create it.
Within the orderedItems node, add a Dictionary item as follows:
Save the .plist file.
Open System Preferences → Spotlight, you will find a blank entry, this is what we had added above. You can drag it like other entries to change the order as you like.
You are done! Now type a word in spotlight and see what happened.

enter image description here

MacOS – Mountain Lion way to QuickLook folders

You are right with "Once upon the Time", that feature does not work on Lion. There is currently no known work around.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Spotlight on MacOS – How to Place Dictionary Definitions Higher Up in Results

MacOS – Mountain Lion way to QuickLook folders

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