Spotlight Search Opens Finder Window in Background

Question

Level 1

24 points

Spotlight Search Opens Finder Window in Background

On Mac Monterey with my new M1 Mac, whenever I search using Spotlight search, and select the folder or file I want, it opens the finer window in the background instead of the foreground like before. I have to cycle to it to get to it now. I've looked through every possible setting but can't seem to get the finder window from spotlight to appear in the foreground. When I open finder directly, it does appear in the foreground. Thanks for your help!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Feb 21, 2022 1:45 PM

Reply

Answer 1

jdo_apple

Community Specialist

Feb 22, 2022 12:17 PM in response to uclabruinn

Hello uclabruinn,

Thanks for reaching out in Apple Support Communities! We understand your concern with your files opening in the background when searching using Spotlight. We're happy to assist you with this.

Have you tried restarting the Mac, and if not, go ahead and restart now: Shut down or restart your Mac - Apple Support

Next, you can boot into safe mode to help bypass additional software that may be causing this trouble:

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

If the issue persists, create a new user to test and see if Spotlight does the same thing there. This will help determine if the issue is within the entire system or just with a specific user account: Set up users, guests and groups on Mac - Apple Support

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities, and have a great day!

Reply

Answer 2

Sharon_419

Community Specialist

Feb 24, 2022 7:59 AM in response to uclabruinn

Hi uclabruinn,

Thanks for providing the additional information. Try selecting the Finder app. Next, in the Finder menu at the top, select "Window" and choose "Bring All to Front".

We hope this helps.

Take Care.

Reply

Answer 3

uclabruinn Author

Level 1

24 points

Feb 23, 2022 11:16 PM in response to jdo_apple

Thanks so much for your reply and help. I tried all the troubleshooting steps above. Safe Mode was not applicable since the spotlight search function in safe mode did not find folders in my documents, which might be because I use iCloud. The issue still occurred even when using a created user. Of note, this seems to happen with any application open and not just Safari. If I have Mail, or even Microsoft Word open, calling up a folder from spotlight search opens up the finder window in the background instead of the foreground.

Reply

Answer 4

Eric--F

Community Specialist

Feb 24, 2022 12:49 PM in response to uclabruinn

Hi uclabruinn,

Since your issue persists, we recommend you Contact Apple for support and service for additional help.

Have a wonderful day.

Reply

Answer 5

uclabruinn Author

Level 1

24 points

Feb 24, 2022 10:22 AM in response to Sharon_419

Thank you so much for your reply. When I select "bring all windows to front," it does bring the window forward, but the default does have the window appear in the background of the active app...

Reply

Spotlight Search Opens Finder Window in Background

Similar questions