Problems with Applications Names (in Spotlight)

[macman161]

I'm having a problem with some of the application names for the default apps (Calendar, System Preferences, Calculator, etc.) when I search for them in Spotlight. I run into a similar problem when searching for an app in something like Alfred/Quicksilver. I will type in the name of the app, and Spotlight will give me the correct results, but the names will be wrong. As far as I can tell, I haven't had any problems with apps that I have installed, it's just the apps that come preinstalled. Does anybody know what is causing this? I've included a couple of pictures with examples.

Sometimes, the name of the app will be a seemingly random string of letters/numbers starting with "dyn.". I'm worried that I may have some kind of virus, but I really want to find out the source of this problem and how to fix it.

Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[GGJstudios]

I will type in the name of the app, and Spotlight will give me the correct results, but the names will be wrong. As far as I can tell, I haven't had any problems with apps that I have installed, it's just the apps that come preinstalled. Does anybody know what is causing this?

It's likely the files that are showing have the search term somewhere in the file. Command-click on them in the Spotlight search results to locate the folder where such files exist. Then right-click on the file and "Get Info" to learn more about the file.

I'm worried that I may have some kind of virus, but I really want to find out the source of this problem and how to fix it.

There has never been a Mac OS X virus in the wild, and only a handful of trojans, none of which produce the symptoms you're describing. It's not malware of any kind.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ​

 

[macman161]

It's likely the files that are showing have the search term somewhere in the file. Command-click on them in the Spotlight search results to locate the folder where such files exist. Then right-click on the file and "Get Info" to learn more about the file.

The problem is that the files that are being shown are correct, but the name being displayed is incorrect. For example, I will search Calendar, and "MIDI File" will come up with the Calendar icon. When I click on it, it will bring me to Calendar. I'm not sure what MIDI File and Calendar have to do with one another, anyway.

I'm just worried that there might be another problem that is causing this.

 

[GGJstudios]

The problem is that the files that are being shown are correct, but the name being displayed is incorrect. For example, I will search Calendar, and "MIDI File" will come up with the Calendar icon. When I click on it, it will bring me to Calendar. I'm not sure what MIDI File and Calendar have to do with one another, anyway.

I'm just worried that there might be another problem that is causing this.

There's nothing to worry about. You just need to determine what's happening. Try searching with Finder and see if you get the same results. Also, try re-indexing your drive:

Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes​

If that fails to index, enter the following command in Terminal:

sudo mdutil -i on "/Volumes/your drive name"​

 

[macman161]

Thanks a lot! It seems to have worked. All I needed to do was have Spotlight reindex. I greatly appreciate all your help