I have resolved the issue by modifying /usr/share/gnome-shell/js/ui/search.js
after following: updateSearch: function(searchString) { I added: if (searchString.length < 2) return; So I got this: updateSearch: function(searchString) { * if (searchString.length < 2) return; * searchString = searchString.replace(/^\s+/g, '').replace(/\s+$/g, ''); if (searchString == '') return; let terms = searchString.split(/\s+/); this.updateSearchResults(terms); }, That disabled the search for any query that is shorter than 2 symbols. (including "g") I am not sure why search runs for 1 letter anyway - it is slow and not producing any meaningful results. I love gnome 3 again :)