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Finder Search reveals items with NO FILE PATH

When you do a search in the Finder and select a file, the bottom of the window should show the File Path, like so:



But recently, Finder Search shows files with NO FILE PATH (see below):



In addition:


  • These files have wrong icons (note the TIF file with the Adobe InDesign icon.
  • Graphic files show a plain icon instead of showing a preview of the file.
  • When I right-click and choose “Show in Enclosing Folder”, there is no such item at the location.


There are dozens of files like this on my iMac right now. It's not just one file name that's having the problem, I've encountered this with different searches over the last week.


Can anyone help me fix this problem? It's driving me nuts!


iMac 19,1, latest version of Big Sur

Posted on Feb 1, 2022 12:14 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 1, 2022 1:04 PM

Well, I fixed the problem myself. I'll explain how, in case anyone Googles this page.


After a process of elimination, I realized all of the files that were giving me errors were on my (always attached) external hard drive.


So I rebuilt the Spotlight Index on that hard drive, and all the problems vanished!


Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 1, 2022 1:04 PM in response to Piccoletto

Well, I fixed the problem myself. I'll explain how, in case anyone Googles this page.


After a process of elimination, I realized all of the files that were giving me errors were on my (always attached) external hard drive.


So I rebuilt the Spotlight Index on that hard drive, and all the problems vanished!


Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Finder Search reveals items with NO FILE PATH

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