Why does closing a photo I have opened from a folder in finder then shut down finder totally ?

What Finder View are you using (not that it should matter)?

Again, what you describe isn’t normal.

Holding down the option key will close the Finder window. That’s all I can think of that would cause what you describe.

Not a workaround (previously suggested), but just possibly a more efficient workflow, use Quick Look to view the photo. With the icon selected, tap the spacebar. Tap again to close, or arrow/Tab to the next photo.

Perhaps using the Quick Look function built into the operating system may help

You are open the photo, edit and do various other functions

All without the need to open the picture is some other application

View and edit files with Quick Look on Mac

The notion that there could be malware on the External Drive is possible

Though, this seems to be introducing a new factor to this question, that could be taking your question into some Other Direction

To put this to rest

Please refer to the below links regarding Builtin Protects against such software

Mac app security enhancements

Protecting against malware in macOS

HighfieldClarets wrote:

Hi all,

Then review the photos ( i have worked out how to display them as larger icons ) but double clicking the photo opens the "Preview" app but closes the folder tree.

Normal

Update : I have now just tried doing it by right clicking the photo and selecting "Open With..." Preview. ( default ) and that allows me to view and then close the photo and remain in the folder display.

Good discovery there 👍

So is there a way I can get this to work in this way "as the default" ?

Not sure what you mean by " as the default "

Any recommendations on a comprehensive guide to transitioning from windows to MacOs ? That would help me learn the differences ?

Cheers

Mark

A general guide transitioning from MS Windows to macOS

Switched from Windows to Mac?

I would also follow along with the detailed instructions from @Barney-15E

FWIW, it is difficult to understand what exactly you are doing. Closing photos does not "shut down the Finder". Could you explain exactly what you are doing, what app you are using to open the photos, etc.

Probably a segmentation fault or other sort of improper attempt to access memory. macOS will close the program to prevent it from doing something like escalating privileges. It's possible you have malware somewhere on external drive. Check your "Crash Reports" section in the Console app right after it happens there should be a log detailing the problem.

Alternatively, view your files some other way I suppose. Also don't feel bad, your explanation was clear enough no need to spin your wheels try to rephrase it.

Are you holding down the Option key when you open the file?

Does it do that with any other file type?

Does Finder crash or does the window just close?

macos is document based. It only opens an app once. Each window is a child of the one open instance, not a separate instance. Closing a window does not normally “shut down” the app.

In case you haven’t figured it out by the replies, what you are describing is not normal.