How to Configure File Indexing with Cinnamon Desktop on Linux Mint

Linux Mint is one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its user-friendliness, stability, and the sleek Cinnamon desktop environment. One essential feature that improves user experience is file indexing, which enables fast file searches. In this guide, we will explore how to configure file indexing on Cinnamon Desktop in Linux Mint, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

What is File Indexing?

File indexing is the process of scanning directories and storing metadata about files to speed up searches. Instead of scanning the entire system every time a search is performed, an index is created and regularly updated, allowing near-instantaneous results.

Benefits of File Indexing

• Faster search performance – No need to scan files manually.
• Efficient file management – Easily locate documents, images, and system files.
• Improved system organization – Helps in maintaining structured data access.

By default, Linux Mint Cinnamon comes with a basic file search function, but to enable full-text search and optimized indexing, we can use Recoll or Tracker.

1. Understanding File Indexing in Cinnamon

Unlike GNOME, which has Tracker as a built-in indexing tool, Cinnamon does not include an advanced file indexer by default. However, users can set up Recoll or Tracker manually to index their files and make searches faster.

There are two main approaches to file indexing in Cinnamon:

• Using Recoll – A standalone full-text search tool with a graphical interface.
• Using Tracker – A background indexing service used in GNOME but adaptable for Cinnamon.

2. Installing Recoll for File Indexing

Recoll is one of the best file indexing tools available for Linux. It indexes the contents of files and provides a search interface with filtering options.

Step 1: Install Recoll

To install Recoll, open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install recoll

Step 2: Launch Recoll and Configure Indexing

1. Open Recoll from the application menu.
2. On the first launch, Recoll will ask for an index directory (default is ~/.recoll/xapiandb).
3. Click “Configure” and choose the folders you want to index.
4. You can include directories like ~/Documents, ~/Downloads, or even external drives.

Step 3: Set Up Automatic Indexing

To enable automatic indexing so that Recoll updates its database regularly:

1. Open Recoll Preferences > Indexing Schedule.
2. Set the schedule to update indexes at regular intervals.
3. You can manually update by running:

recollindex

Step 4: Search for Files

Once indexed, you can use Recoll’s search bar to locate files instantly. It also supports full-text searches inside documents, PDFs, and emails.

3. Configuring Tracker for File Indexing in Cinnamon

Tracker is another powerful tool for file indexing. It runs as a background service and integrates well with the Linux file system.

Step 1: Install Tracker

While Tracker is mainly used in GNOME, it can be installed on Cinnamon:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install tracker tracker-miner-fs

Step 2: Start the Tracker Service

Once installed, start the Tracker service to begin indexing files:

tracker daemon start

You can check the status of Tracker with:

tracker status

Step 3: Configure Tracker

Modify indexing preferences with:

tracker-preferences

From here, you can:

• Enable/Disable file indexing.
• Choose which directories to index.
• Set privacy settings to exclude sensitive files.

Step 4: Use Tracker for Searching

After indexing is complete, you can search for files using:

tracker search <keyword>

For example, to search for a PDF file:

tracker search "report.pdf"

4. Managing File Indexing Performance

Indexing can sometimes consume CPU and memory, so optimizing it is essential.

Reducing CPU Usage in Recoll

1. Open Recoll Preferences.
2. Adjust the indexing priority to “Low.”
3. Limit the number of files indexed per session.

Limiting Tracker Indexing

To prevent Tracker from overloading the system:

tracker daemon stop
tracker daemon --pause

You can also set specific folders to be ignored:

tracker reset --hard
tracker reset --soft

5. Disabling File Indexing (If Needed)

If file indexing causes performance issues, it can be disabled.

Disabling Recoll

Simply remove the Recoll package:

sudo apt remove recoll

Disabling Tracker

To stop Tracker permanently:

tracker daemon stop
tracker daemon --kill
sudo apt remove tracker tracker-miner-fs

6. Alternative File Search Methods in Cinnamon

If you prefer not to use an indexer, you can use locate or find:

Using Locate for Fast Searches

Install mlocate and update its database:

sudo apt install mlocate
sudo updatedb

Then search for files:

locate filename

Using Find for Deep Searches

The find command searches in real-time but is slower:

find /home -name "example.txt"

7. Conclusion

Configuring file indexing on Cinnamon Desktop in Linux Mint enhances file search efficiency, saving time and improving workflow. While Cinnamon doesn’t have a built-in indexer, Recoll and Tracker provide excellent solutions for indexing and fast retrieval of files.

For most users, Recoll is the best option due to its flexibility and GUI-based interface. Advanced users who prefer command-line indexing can opt for Tracker or use locate and find.

By optimizing your file indexing settings, you can ensure a smooth, responsive Linux Mint experience without unnecessary CPU usage.