Safari Ignores New Windows Settings and Adds Same 2 Windows and Refuses to Close Them

I have 2 M-chip Macbooks fully up-to-date and a 9mos old premium iPad. I updated everything yesterday, with one quickie from Apple.

The Problem

The problem is that Macbook Safari is opening 2 extra websites on every new window request -- but they are not the same websites. This decision is overriding my instructions about opening new windows. This is an AI issue, because the windows it opens are very close to my work habits.

My Actions to Understand Problem

[1] I just checked the process before writing this post. And I deliberately changed the new windows settings on the MB1 and it changed immediately on the MB2 and iPad Safari settings.

[2] Also, I verfied that Chrome does not have this problem, but Google is the Safari search engine on all three machines. This minute I will change that variable. Done. I just changed search engine out of Google and problem remains identical.

[3] This all makes crazy. For the record, I shut down most of Mission Control yesterday on MB1, as I had lost all control of my desktop. My actual machine speed improved by 25%, which is major for me, given my hours. And I no longer wonder why the f--- my MB is acting like Hal -- if you're old enough to know who Hal is. My time spent trying to do my work also improved tremendously -- 30-45 minutes a day just trying to undo Hal's insanity.

This near total shut down of Mission Control had no impact on my Safari problem.

[4] I just verified this problem does not exist in private browing. I assumed that was the case, but I just verified that private browing is fine.

For the record, in trying to be very precise about the facts for you guys, I now remember that Safari MA1 is open on my iPad AND iPad Safari is open. I make a key discovery there.

The Equipment and What Happens

MB1: Safari always opens my logged-in current squarespace window and the New York Times. It changes the squarespace window based on activity, but I cannot get rid of it. It is tracking my last worked-on window. The New York Times is also a recent article. Same one in 10 stupid windows. Or 20. Or 100 windows. Hal refuses to give up the ship and leave me alone.

MB2: My backup laptop. Safari just opened two internal squarespace log-in windows. It hasn't been used for a week and it's not opening the logged-in-page on the MB1. Yeah! SS security is working at least.

iPad: Safari opened Amazon and Squarespace log-in, when I asked it to open New York Times. It did open the Times, adding 2 problem windows. That is Safari from my MB1 for the record.

Just now on my iPad, I used its Safari. Voila, I do not have the Safari 2 windows issue on the Safari installed on my iPad. Before I was using the Safari connected via MB1 and showing in my dock.

AI on MB1 Is Overriding Safari Settings . . . and I Am Clueless

This is an AI issue. Amazon and NYT are listed as favorites bookmarks. My Squarespace internal bookmarks are in their own folder below favorites. But that folder does not have the log-in page or any log-in info.

Also, I am logged in on MB1 on Amazon. But Safari duplicate pages only puts me on the landing pages on Amazon on iPad. Same with SS.

I Implore You Guys to Help Me Please

I am at my wits end. I can turn off all this sharing and will do do. But AI on the mothership machine is doing its own thing -- unless this is driven my iCloud. One more thing to check. And to add insult to injury -- because I must work with multiple open windows -- now Hal is locking me down for too many Safari windows open and being a resources hog with my bad habits. Yikes.

Honestly, I'm Apple or die, but I really thought Apple was better than this.