Big Sur Finder Issue

It shouldn't. Boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 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

Download and run Etrecheck. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support  to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to include the report in your reply.

IMPORTANT:

Before running Etrecheck assign Full Disk Access to Etrecheck in the Etrecheck's Privacy preference pane so that it can get additional information from the Console and log files for the report:

Also click and read the About info to further permit full disk access.

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine what might be causing the problem.

Same issue here. I don't think it's a hard disk repair issue! Safe mode doesn't help. Is there any way to turn this annoying new change in behaviour off?

To clarify, this only happens if you have assigned Finder to "This window" (right-click Finder icon > options > assign to this window) AND you click that Finder icon from a different space.

E.g. if I'm showing the Finder folder contents and click the Finder icon, it just brings the folder to the foreground. Whereas if I'm in Safari on a different space, then click the Finder icon, it opens a second Finder window, covering the one I wanted to go back to!

This is not intended behaviour as it never worked that way before Big Sur. And it doesn't work that way for any other app or window. E.g. If I click Safari from another space, it doesn't open a new Safari window. Finder shouldn't either.

Edit: Testing this further it actually only seems to happen when Safari is the active window and then you click the Finder icon. E.g. going from Mail to Finder doesn't open a new Finder window, but going from Safari does. Bug?

You have installed some very unnecessary software, AntivirusforMac.app. There is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This user tip describes what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community 

Uninstall AntivirusforMac according to the developer's instructions. You can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running Find Any File to search for any files with the application's name  and the developer's name in the file name.  For AVFM software you'd do the following search(es): 

1 - Name contains antivirusformac

2 - Name contains bit defender

Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.

FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  

 It also appears that you've installed a VPN,   Bitdefender VPN.app. Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's servers, they are useless. Read the following: Public VPN's are anything but private.  Uninstall it according to the developer';s instructions unless it's required by your employer or a bank.

Hello Old Toad,

check my answer above. I will include it as well:

It is indeed related to the desktops. If I stick finder to "all desktops" than the problem disappears, however, the finder windows switches from one desktop to the other. If you use the other options a new finder window appear. So it is for sure a software bug

I have various apple mac's and all have the same issue and they have different software stacks so it is definitely an issue to the finder software in relation to the desktop functionality

Here is the report it is still happening for me.

I have the same problem on my iMac, since installing Big Sur :(

As stated I don't have Anti-Virus installed. This is a bug.

My replies and comments are intended for itsmeriz. Didn't noticed that I had replied to you.

It is indeed related to the desktops. If I stick finder to "all desktops" than the problem disappears, however, the finder windows switches from one desktop to the other. If you use the other options a new finder window appear. So it is for sure a software bug

Whilst that software may be unnecessary, let's be realistic. Anti-Virus software on his computer isn't causing all of our Finder icon to open new windows when clicked from other Spaces.

I have no unnecessary software. Same thing happens.

Let's be straightforward. This is a bug with a brand new OS.

What's the correct way to get this info to the developers?

AppleIIme wrote:

Whilst that software may be unnecessary, let's be realistic. Anti-Virus software on his computer isn't causing all of our Finder icon to open new windows when clicked from other Spaces.

You'd be surprised what A/V software can do to a system. So a search in these forums for any of the A/V software that advertise as for Macs and see what you get.

You should still uninstall it and then see if there's any change in performance.

Tried the Safe Mode launch and it still happened there as well.

Not sure how to fix this. Super annoying at the moment.