I have set up several desktops (Spaces) in Mission Control for different modes of my work. After closing the computer down all these are lost. This seems to mean that I cannot ever close the computer (even if, say, I go on holiday) without this inconvenience.
Is there a solution? I cannot find one in the Apple Community, nor from general web searches.
I have just tested:
2 displays;
3 Spaces on one display, 2 Spaces on the second display;
Different windows and applications on each Space.
Restarted, with "Reopen windows when logging back in" CHECKED.
All the Spaces restored, and all the windows were in the exact same Space as before restarting.
As I mention, it only happens to non-Apple apps
i’m not sure how that has anything to do with automatically rearranging by usage.
Are your apps assigned to any particular space? Unless assigned, they’re going to open in the current space. Also, document windows cannot be assigned to a space, only the application, so if you’re arranging document windows in different spaces, they will just open back up in the current space after shut down.
PRP_53 wrote:
Just tried with Safari in # 1 and Mail in #2
Logged Out and Back In
The Desktop #1 and # 2 were still present
The Applications were Not
Just repeated the same process using Restart
The Desktop #1 and # 2 were still present
The Applications were Not
Applications may or may not be as before you restart - that depends on your settings.
Of course, in order for this to happen, you have to NOT quit these applications, and when you choose
Restart (or Shutdown) you need to have this box CHECKED:
Sparky987 wrote:
I have set up several desktops (Spaces) in Mission Control for different modes of my work. After closing the computer down all these are lost. This seems to mean that I cannot ever close the computer (even if, say, I go on holiday) without this inconvenience.
Is there a solution? I cannot find one in the Apple Community, nor from general web searches.
Do you have the same behaviour when you Log Out and Back Into the computer ?
I have tried with 2 Desktops in Mission Control, logged Out and Back In - the 2 Desktops remain
I have tried with 2 Desktops in Mission Control and done a Restart - the 2 Desktops remain
Though in both cases I have closed the 2 applications that were in each of the Desktop Before Hand
Just tried with Safari in # 1 and Mail in #2
Logged Out and Back In
The Desktop #1 and # 2 were still present
The Applications were Not
Just repeated the same process using Restart
The Desktop #1 and # 2 were still present
The Applications were Not
Thanks and aware of this
Though, OP seems to have said the Desktops ( Spaces ) disappear upon a re-login or a Restart
In my case, the 2 Desktops ( Spaces ) did not disappear under either of the two conditions
Thank you very much Luis Sequeira1
This advice does indeed solve the problem - both for close-down followed by startup, and also a re-start.
As an aside to this, I noticed that some apps/windows were moving always to Desktop/Space 1 and, after quite a lot of experiment, I discovered that this happens mostly for non-Apple apps, for example: MS Word, Excel and Outlook; also Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and Da-Vinci Resolve. Curiously, WhatsApp did not move and this is not an Apple app (I think). Perhaps this behaviour depends on where I downloaded the apps from.
Anyway, thanks so much again for your accurate advice.
As an aside to this, I noticed that some apps/windows were moving always to Desktop/Space 1
By default, the Desktops are ordered by usage. I have it turned off in the screenshot because I don't like them moving around. I don't know if this is what you are seeing, but it is a possibility.
Yes, The Desktops are lost after a log-out. When logging out I get a reminder that open applications will be automatically closed.
Yes, desktops are lost after I log out snd then back in.
Thank you for checking this out. Your description matches what I experience precisely. Blank desktops are not much use to me!
You are welcome
Re: Empty Desktops using Mission Control after a restart
Perhaps your expectations are greater than what the Operating System can offer
Thanks for suggestion.
As I mention, it only happens to non-Apple apps but, yes, I also have that Automatic re-arrangement ... recent use .. switched off.
multiple desktop spaces lost after mac shutdown
