Finder windows reverting to root drive?

jpdemers wrote:

It's a PITA when you have six or ten windows open on root, and have to consult a list of what folder they were all originally pointing to (and maintain and update the list.)

Also, it shouldn't be happening at all.

It certainly should not be happening.

This is the first time that I have heard about this problem.

It could be a Finder issue specific to your machine.

The first thing I'd try is to delete the Finder preferences. Often a corrupted plist file can cause weird behavior.

1) In Finder, press Command-Shift-G and paste

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

2) Drag the file out of the folder (to the trash or the desktop if you want)

3) Force-relaunch Finder (command-option-Escape, select Finder in the list, click Relaunch)

Since this is a problem that is not immediate, we will have to wait a bit to see if it recurs, but with luck this may fix it.

If the problem persists, there may be some other thing involved. Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

jpdemers wrote:

I have an M1 Mini with two monitors, and since I'm always working on multiple projects, each with its own folder, I keep Finder windows open for each of them, some on different desktops, some with a dedicated desktop of their own.

Recently, when the Mac's been sitting idle for any length of time (typically overnight, but not always), I'll find that all of those windows are now showing the root directory ("Mac Mini SSD"). I have to re-map all of the windows back to the folder they were originally displaying.

This is a huge PITA, and forces me to keep a list of the projects that I'm trying to pay attention to. Rebooting, deleting plists, Safe Mode, and all the usual Finder hacks have no effect.

Mac mini, macOS 14.3

I don't get it.

How can changing a finder window be a "huge PITA..."

Sounds like your "Finder hacks" (?) could be causing an issue.

—You can add any folder to Finder's sidebar >Favorites

—You can set one default Folder in Finder>Settings>General

ref: Organize your files in the Finder on Mac

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/Anti-Virus/VPN

all known to cause issues on the macOS

third-party sync software like: OneDrive, GoogleDrive, BackBlaze or DropBox have been known to cause various issue

The current stable release of Sonoma including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 14.4

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support