Quick Tip: Force OS X Lion to reload the LaunchPad’s contents
As I have used the OS X Lion beta, I have noticed that there is a slight issue in the LaunchPad. When you install or remove an application without using the App Store, the LaunchPad may take a long time to update accordingly. This is a bug that I hope Apple will eventually fix. Until then, however, we are left with workarounds.
To force the LaunchPad to refresh its database, run the following command:
sudo rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db
This will delete the database that is used to populate the LaunchPad. To apply the change and make the LaunchPad create a new database, run this command:
sudo killall Dock
The Dock will restart, along with Mission Control and the LaunchPad. The grid of icons should be refreshed, and the changes you have made to the applications should be visible.
Update: As some of the commenters over at TUAW have noted, doing this will remove any custom locations or folders you may have set up for your applications.
Great tip!
I just installed Lion this morning and had tons of apps due to Parallels.
I moved my Parallels Windows applications out of my Applications folder and used this tip to reload for a more streamline Launchpad experience.
I posted on the Apple Lion forums and included this page as the source for my inspiration.
Thanks!!!
You’re welcome! I had the exact same experience as you did. That’s what forced me to figure this out.
Actually, just the Killall Dock command worked for me. I did not have to put in the first one. Also, Sudo does not need to be in front of “killall”, but Killall MUST have a capital ‘K’ and Dock MUST have a capital ‘D’.
Oops. Killall does not need a capital, but Dock does.
I tried that, and it didn’t work immediately after I deleted a program in my Applications directory. It is possible that your Mac had just updated the Launchpad database right before you ran the killall command.
That\’s way the beestst answer so far!
i have a different problem. my icons on my desktop disappear when i begin to swipe spaces.
can you fix this one?
check out my prob
http://youtu.be/tyiNBaBCbWM
Tried the above but my old parallels apps remain even though I’ve removed parallels from my computer (completely?). I’ve rebooted but no help. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Check the following folder: /Users//Applications (Note that this is a separate folder from the one on your hard drive’s root). There should be a folder called “Windows XP Applications” (Or “Windows 7″, depending on what version you have). Delete that folder, and you should be good to go.
i deleted launchpad by accident how to bring it back help me please
LaunchPad is part of the OS X Dock. Mac OS X will not allow you to delete the LaunchPad icon.
Did you just delete it from your Dock? If so, go into your Applications folder, locate the “LaunchPad” icon, and drag it back into your Dock.
when i swipe through apps in launchpad, the swipe action is choppy and slow….plz somebody help me to fix this issue as it is bygging me a lot
Hi,
I’ve had the exact same problem the person who posted this. I’ve “run” both commands stated.
And when I’ve gone back into my launchpad, the icons from my Macintosh still appear. Have I done something wrong?
Is there any other simple way to get rid of the icons without permanetly deleting the components? Thanks
hi guys! thanks for the tip. i ran across this as a reference on another site when i was researching how to resolve the problem of missing all my launchpad icons when doing the 3finger+thumb gesture! i suppose it was related to removal of parallel and installing virtual box.
i tried the first command but it stated that folder was not found so i found another users comment above and just use the second line and voilà… then dump the win 7 folder of icons.
thx for your help~
i’m glad for your passion.
Worked great for me also, thanks so much.