Chaotic Finder behavior under macOS multiple desktops
by Poster
May 17, 2025
6
I noticed a problem with macOS managing app window locations between different desktop spaces. The details are as follows:
1. I opened Finder in Space 1.
2. I then opened a PDF file through Finder and dragged that PDF window to Space 2.
3. At this time my space has been switched to desktop 2
At this point, I click on the Finder icon in the Dock bar, expecting the system to jump back to Space 1, because that's where the Finder was originally opened.
But what actually happens is:
-macOS will switch to Space 1, but this space is empty and the Finder window cannot be found.
-Click the Finder icon again, but the system jumps to Space 2. At this time, the Finder window and PDF file window are both here-even though I didn't actively move the Finder window over.
This seems to indicate that macOS will automatically move the Finder window to the space where the file is located, even if the user doesn't explicitly do it. This behavior appears very inconsistent and troubling when using multiple desktops.
Has anyone encountered similar problems? Or are there any workarounds or settings that can be adjusted? Everyone is welcome to share ideas or suggestions, thank you very much!
(There should be no problem with the Mission Control setting)
https://imgur.com/a/9WG3wTI
Replies
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Anonymous534 May 17, 2025I didn't encounter this problem with you. If the original window of the Finder is only in Space 1, then clicking the Finder chart on the dock in Space 2 will directly return to Space 1 and activate the Finder window as the front window. You try the settings in my picture (in System Settings-Desktop & Dock). https://i.imgur.com/9suya1p.png I think it's the fourth option from the bottom that you didn't activate.
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Anonymous73 May 17, 2025"macOS will automatically move the Finder window to the space where the file is" This has never happened on my macOS...
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Anonymous73 May 17, 2025@ Anonymous73 Why don't you put "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application" Turn it off... although I'm not sure if this is causing the problem. Of course, macOS's window management, window properties and action properties are all kinds of strange, which is true...
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Anonymous4806 May 18, 2025I encounter this problem you mentioned every day It should be a bug, because it doesn't happen every time here, it's usually good when I first boot it
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Anonymous9595 May 19, 2025Solution: 1. Wait for Apple to fix it 2. Use a third-party file manager, such as QSpace
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Anonymous7892 May 19, 2025Just tried it, it didn't appear, click finder to jump to the desktop that was originally opened, and this window appears at the front (there are other applications).