opening folders on multiple desktops

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Level 1

13 points

opening folders on multiple desktops

Have asked before about Finder settings to allow a folder to be opened on any current desktop, instead of being thrown over to another desktop where it happens to already be open. Was told to set Finder options it to None (instead of All Desktops) and to DISABLE "When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application"

THIS DOES NOT WORK. Choosing All Desktops also not practical because it just creates chaos (all folders open everywhere). The Open in Current Desktop option used to be standard in MacOS. Is there really no work-around??

Posted on Jan 19, 2023 8:23 AM

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Answer 1

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Jan 21, 2023 1:23 PM in response to mawolfe52

Hello mawolfe52,

This page can help out with using multiple spaces on the Mac: Work in multiple spaces on Mac - Apple Support

Move an app window from one space to another

On your Mac, do any of the following:

•Drag the app window you want to move to the edge of the screen. After a moment, the window moves to the next space.

•Go to the space that has the window you want to move, enter Mission Control, then drag the window up to the space you want to use.

•If you drag the window onto a full screen app in the Spaces bar, you can use the apps in Split View.

For assigning apps to spaces, these steps can help out with that:

Assign apps to spaces

If you use two or more spaces, you can assign an app (or System Settings) to a specific space so it always opens in that space.

1. On your Mac, Control-click an app’s icon in the Dock.

You may need to first open the app to show its icon in the Dock.

2. In the shortcut menu that appears, choose Options, then choose one of the following:

•All Desktops: The app opens in every space.

•This Desktop: The app opens only in the current space. If you use the app full screen, it appears in its own space.

•Desktop on Display [number]: The app opens in the current space on a specific display (if more than one display is available).

•None: The app opens in whichever space you’re using at the time.

By default, when switching to an app, the desktop automatically switches to a space that has open windows for the app. For example, if you create a new TextEdit document in Desktop 3, but TextEdit windows are already open in Desktop 2, your new document opens in Desktop 2. To change this setting, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar, go to Mission Control on the right, then turn “When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application” on or off.

Cheers.

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Answer 2

bailier

Community Specialist

Jan 22, 2023 7:59 AM in response to mawolfe52

Hi mawolfe52,

Thanks for clarifying. Apple is always looking for ways to enhance the experience that you have with your device. Follow this link to submit your feedback about this feature: Product Feedback - Apple

Take care!

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Answer 3

mawolfe52 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 21, 2023 1:42 PM in response to Eric_G1

Thanks but I’m talking about folders, not apps. If I need to use an app on another desktop, it’s easy to double click on it’s icon in the dock and go there.

What is life-shortening is wanting to open a folder on one desktop only to get thrown back to some other desktop where’s its already open.

This used to be easy to do because there was an Open in Current Desktop option for the Finder and folders.

Apple — for the love of humanity, just put this back in the OS.

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Answer 4

mawolfe52 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 24, 2023 1:53 PM in response to Sharhari

Can't remember exactly which OSs -- since version X anyway, though. Before 7/8/9? I'm inclined to say no -- but that's really going a ways back.

I've been purchasing/using Macs since 1985 and personally have had about 20+ systems (Mac networks) of my own. I mention it because it's a relevant point that Mac OS has gotten increasingly complex for complexity's sake ('wouldn't it be cool to add this!") and has gotten away from the original vision -- ease of use based on everyday user needs and behaviours.

Just my two cents but Apple folks do sometimes read these posts, whereas Feature Request is a black hole from a, well, everyday user perspective.

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Answer 5

Sharhari

Level 5

6,293 points

Jan 23, 2023 9:44 AM in response to mawolfe52

mawolfe52 wrote:

The Open in Current Desktop option used to be standard in MacOS.

Please mention the version of macOS you are referring to.

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opening folders on multiple desktops

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