New to iMac usage and need help

Apple did indeed move the control around – and rename it – between Monterey and Ventura. This article should have correct instructions for both.

Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac - Apple Support

The Mac is probably remembering what you had open when you turned it off – and attempting to restore things to the way they were when you start it up again.

If you go into System Settings > Desktop & Dock, you may see a control called "Close windows when quitting an application" whose description says "When enabled, open documents and windows will not be restored when you re-open an application."

It sounds like you would want to turn this control on.

I see that your tag line says that you are running macOS 12.7 (Monterey).

So you'd probably be looking for System Preferences, and the control might be located somewhere else within it. (System Preferences was the name of the application for a long, long time … then Apple renamed it, and shuffled a bunch of stuff around, in the version of macOS immediately following yours.)

You can find the 'hidden' manual for all things macOS by clicking in the Finder menu bar > Help > macOS Help.

When the Help widow opens, you can search for all manner of topics in the macOS User Guide.

The macOS User Guide is also online here: Mac User Guide - Apple Support

sciencemagic wrote:

Old Toad,

I will make sure I don't enable "Reopen windows when logging back in" as you suggest.

You check that box when you shut down, not when you boot up next.

Also boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and check to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and check again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Make sure this checkbox is not checked when you shut down your iMac:

LOL:)