Thumbnails in top right corner of imac desktop of recent apps visited

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Level 1

9 points

Thumbnails in top right corner of imac desktop of recent apps visited

I don't know how they were enabled, but every time I visit an app, i.e. Safari, or whatever, even using the keyboard, a related thumbnail appears in the top right corner of my iMac Desktop. It's most annoying because it covers critical things in Safari, for example. I can't click on the little plus to open a new page because it's covered with one of these thumbnails. If I right-click on the thumbnail, nothing happens. If I try to drag them, they don't budge. How do I disable this annoying feature?

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 28, 2019 8:08 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

VernHar Author

Level 1

9 points

May 24, 2019 3:30 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thank you. I didn't see Malwarebytes in the App Store so I downloaded from the developer's website. There were four adware found and deleted. Upon restart, the annoying thumbnails are gone. However, they were also gone after restarting the Mac after a safe mode start, as stated in one of my posts above. So, I'm hoping they will not return in a few days' time. I have a post-it note on my Mac to remind me to come back in here and report how it's going, and at that time, if this has been resolved, I will click "This solved my question". In the meantime, I want to thank you very much for your time spent in delving into this issue. Good to get rid of adware. I will keep the app and perhaps get the paid version.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,446 points

May 24, 2019 2:38 PM in response to VernHar

The report indicates you may have some adware installed. Please download the free version of Malwarebytes and run it, it it locates any adware please remove it and re-test.

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Answer 3

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Mar 30, 2019 3:30 PM in response to VernHar

Hi VernHar,

It sounds like you're seeing an unexpected icon on your screen and I want to help.

Let's try starting into safe mode to see if this issue stops when you try safe mode:

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

Good luck!

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,446 points

May 24, 2019 8:15 AM in response to VernHar

Please navigate to the Mac App Store and download the free version of EtreCheck OR please click www.EtreCheck.com where you will find the app. Once you downloaded the free app and created the report please post it as your reply to this message. In order to post it, please use the following link for more detailed instructions on how to correctly include the results:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211

We can then look for obvious issues that may be causing your problem.

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Answer 5

VernHar Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 8, 2019 6:49 AM in response to chris_g1

Thank you for your help. Sorry for my delay in getting back to you. When I started the iMac in safe mode, the thumbnails were not there. I shut down and restarted in regular mode, whatever you call it, and the thumbnails are no longer there. I open various apps, but no thumbnails appeared. So hopefully, it is fixed. If it comes back I will post back in this thread. Thanks again.

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Answer 6

VernHar Author

Level 1

9 points

May 24, 2019 1:28 PM in response to rkaufmann87

In addition to the EtreCheck report, here's a snapshot of what I am referring to. The top thumbnail, I believe is the mouse. The second one is Settings, of course. When an email arrives, an email thumbnail appears momentarily. But there is usually at least one thumbnail sitting there. I have to resize Safari, for example, on the right side of the screen so that these silly thumbnails don't cover the "plus" icon to add another webpage. These thumbnails cannot be moved. Right-clicking on them yields nothing.

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Answer 7

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,446 points

May 24, 2019 3:38 PM in response to VernHar

Great! Sorry, I thought the Mac App Store had it but I'm glad you were able to locate it their website and that it located and removed the adware.

In the meantime I'll keep my fingers crossed the adware was the issue.

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Answer 8

VernHar Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2019 1:37 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Hi there. First of all, just wanted to mention that Malwarebytes is in the App Store, but only for iOS, not for the iMac. Anyway, most importantly, the thumbnails have not returned so far, so I think the problem was the result of the adware. So, I want to thank you very much for your help.

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