My screen keeps switching desktops without me switching it manually

So this Saturday a few days ago. Whenever I put my current application on full screen on my Macbook Air, it would switch to an empty Desktop in a few seconds without me doing anything. The only application that isn't affected is Zoom whenever I had a meeting and even if I try to open another desktop on full screen, it still causes the same problem. I've tried everything: change Mission Control, activate and deactivate Safe Mode, even reinstall my MacOS (Catalina). But nothing seems to work and there are no viruses that my antivirus can detect. If anyone can help me, it'd be great!

Posted on Sep 17, 2020 12:02 AM

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5 replies

Sep 17, 2020 12:14 AM in response to Corujo

Make sure Automatically rearrange spaces based on most recent use is switched off

in System Preferences> Mission Control.


Oh and you do not need any Anti-Virus protection, there are no viruses that attack the mac,

AV apps just take up system resources and slow your mac down, they can also flag up

files that it considers a threat, which may lead you to delete them. Quite often these

files are system files needed for the smooth operation of your mac.

Sep 17, 2020 12:31 AM in response to Corujo

Ok it may be a corrupt preferences file.


Click on your Desktop, click Go in the menubar select Go to Folder.

Enter this text,


~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist


press Go


A new Finder window will open with the file highlighted,

move the file to the Trash, do not empty it yet.


Restart your mac, the file will be regenerated.

Open System Preferences> Mission Control and make sure that box is unchecked.


If the behaviour of Desktops/ Spaces is now working as you would expect, then delete the file in the Trash.


if it didn't try the same procedure but with this file,


~/Library Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist

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My screen keeps switching desktops without me switching it manually

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