Screen automatically changes desktops after opening new window.

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minhcalla OP
Created Aug ’15
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Hey smarter iPeople


Running El Capital public beta on Mac mini late 2012 with wireless keyboard and trackpad. I still suffer from frequent lag and spinning wheel as I did with Yosemite (never an issue on Mavericks or Mountain Lion, annoying... handoff was too helpful to lose) but my new issue now is when I open a new window on an empty desktop.


Examples below assume I have 3 desktops open with my main apps closed with the red x (remaining in the dock with the white dot below the icon but not actively open). I'll use finder as the example:

Easiest instance:

I'm using no apps on any desktop. I open finder on desktop two then 4 finger swipe to the right to open Safari on desktop one. Immediately after my screen lands on desktop one, the screen will automatically slide back to the finder window on desktop two.


Alternatively:

I'm using iTunes on desktop three, mail on desktop two and while on desktop one, I open finder. I four finger swipe to the left to view mail on desktop two. As soon as my screen lands on desktop two, it automatically slides back to desktop one where I last opened finder.


I never had this issue with Yosemite or previous OS. It happens with any app I use. At first, I thought it was only with full screen apps that was most recently opened (when I first noticed it) but then (now) realize it's with any app. The desktop I switch to, it'll auto-switch to the last/newest desktop viewed. For a real life example, I'll open safari to watch Hulu. Will settle with a Hulu movie and change desktops to check a message I just got and it'll auto-switch to the hulu window. This can also happen 2-3 times. I'll four finger swipe back to the desktop I want and it'll auto-slide back to the previous one.


I've not changed anything since Mountain Lion (the OS my mac mini began with) so I don't understand what's the deal. Is it something I need to change or is it an OS thing? I hope someone actually read all this and can provide input.


About me:

I'm not the "coding" type. I'm very good with electronics and troubleshooting devices. I can help a lot and very seldom need assistance. This however is one of the annoyances that I can not figure out. I've had it only since El Capitan so if you think it'll be fixed in an update, then I'll just swipe more in the meantime. I'm hoping that there's a setting I don't know about.


Thanks so much

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Max108 OP
Aug ’15
Accepted Answer

Hi mincalla,


I carefully read your post (despite it being addressed to smarter iPeople 😝). The behaviour you've described isn't occuring for me on any of my Macs (none of them a Mac Mini unfortunately), and this reply may not provide any further insight than that.


The following command (issued from the Terminal app) used to fix this very issue in older versions of OS X, but it may be deprecated in 10.11. Anyway, give it a go - it won't cause any harm if it is deprecated:


defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool NO


then restarting the Dock using:


killall Dock


Regards,

Max.

1
minhcalla OP
Aug ’15

Hi Max108,


Sorry for never replying. I kind of expected an email that I'd been replied to as I do with the regular Apple forums but I guess I shouldn't have expected that 🙂


I did as you recommended as the occurrence itself might not be an El Capitan issue. It's just totally coincident that it only began with El Cap. I tried it on my Mac mini and will see if it fixed it. If it does, I'll do it on my macbook pro too and see how it goes.


I appreciate your help so much!

0
Max108 OP
Aug ’15

That's okay 🙂


If you wish to receive emails when you receive replies click on "Welcome minhcalla" at the top left of the page and select "preferences". Set "Inbox" to on.


Keep me posted on as to whether it works or not...

0
minhcalla OP
Aug ’15

Well, so far it seems like it worked! So I marked the answer as correct. I appreciate your help very much!

0
Mr-Dmitry OP
Dec ’18

How can I disable auto swoosh for iTunes? It remains with all the settings and even with no open windows! So annoying!!!

0
Mr-Dmitry OP
Dec ’18

Open context menu on the iTunes icon in the dock. Select Options - Assign To - All Desktops. But it work correctly only with closed window. Open window will be visible on the all desktops. Unfortunately, Assign To - None doesn't work completely! It works like assigned to the desktop where iTunes was lauched for the first time.

0
Mr-Dmitry OP
Dec ’18

Is it possible to move windows to the current desktop instead of moving current desktop to the windows? It whould be 1,000,000 times more convenient!

0
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