macOS Hot Corner launches apps with two windows

Question

deepp13 Author

Level 1

4 points

macOS Hot Corner launches apps with two windows

Hi everyone,

I am new to MacOS

I’m running into a weird macOS issue where apps open twice whenever I launch them using a Hot Corner.

Details:

I have a Hot Corner set on the bottom-right to open an app (for example, Notes or Terminal)
When I trigger the Hot Corner, the app launches two windows at the same time
This happens consistently and across multiple apps, not just one
If I open the same app normally (Dock / Spotlight), it behaves fine

It feels like macOS is triggering two launch actions for the same app when using the Hot Corner.

I’m not able to attach a video, but the behavior is:

→ One Hot Corner action

→ Two app windows open simultaneously

Has anyone seen this before?

Is there a known issue with Hot Corners, shortcuts, or window restoration settings that could cause this?

Any help or pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 5:47 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

neuroanatomist

Level 9

56,349 points

Feb 4, 2026 7:47 AM in response to deepp13

As @dialabrain correctly states, there is no default option to open a specific app (other than a new Quick Note). These are the options:

If you have hot corners set to open specific apps, you must be using a 3rd party extension to do so. You need to identify that extension and contact the developer.

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Answer 2

Feb 4, 2026 9:58 PM in response to deepp13

deepp13 wrote:

The issue is that whenever I trigger that Hot Corner, two Quick Note windows open simultaneously• instead of one. It happens consistently every time.

Notes have lately had some glitches which were fixed by resetting its prefs. So backup (just in case) and try:

Choose Finder > Go > Go to Folder..., paste the following line, and press the Return key (*):

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Notes/Data/Library/Preferences/

There should be "com.apple.Notes.plist" -- move it to the Desktop. Reboot the Mac and open Notes. If it then works, trash that old "com.apple.Notes.plist" from the Desktop.

Some setups might have the file in the following folder so you might try that:

~/Library/Preferences/

Personally I have disabled that Notes Hot Corner after many times accidentally opening it.

If that does not do it, then EtreCheck report might help us to find the possible cause for this (I use VS Code but have not noticed Terminal issues):

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000632

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Answer 3

Johne154

Level 2

387 points

Feb 4, 2026 9:58 PM in response to deepp13

What happens if you go into Settings and turn off Quick Note by setting it to nothing (just a dash)?

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Answer 4

Feb 5, 2026 10:38 PM in response to deepp13

Thanks for the report. What is Cursor Helper (Plugin) -- does it help if you uninstall it? Nothing else is suspicious to me.

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Answer 5

deepp13 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 4, 2026 6:26 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks for the response! @dialabrain @neuroanatomist

For Quick Note, I’m using the native macOS Hot Corner setting (bottom-right → Quick Note). I’m not using any third-party extension specifically to trigger Quick Note — just the built-in macOS option.

The issue is that whenever I trigger that Hot Corner, two Quick Note windows open simultaneously instead of one. It happens consistently every time.

Separately, I’ve also noticed that sometimes Terminal opens twice when launched via shortcuts from IDEs like VS Code/Cursor — but I’m not sure if that part is related to macOS or the IDE behavior. The main concern is still the Quick Note duplication from the Hot Corner.

So I’m trying to figure out: