Problems with Finder re: repeatedly need to use Relaunch to close

As our friend, @neuroanatomist, has posted, Finder never quits or closes.

One may close Finder windows, but the app must always be running when the Mac is operating.

Use the Finder on Mac – Apple Support

There are Finder options that allow previously opened windows and apps to open again when logging back into the computer. Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac - Apple Support

If you are having some issue, please do elaborate.

See if the problem also happens in safe mode.  Safe mode will often correct weird software behavior by forcing the OS to clear caches, do disk repair and other self-maintenance and housekeeping and temporarily disables third-party mods. How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support 

Use your Mac in safe mode for a little while – 30 minutes – and then exit safe mode by restarting your Mac normally and reevaluate the problem.

Does the problem go away in Safe mode but return after a normal reboot?

If so, this may indicate an OS conflict with one or more of your installed apps.

To troubleshoot this, download and run the free version of EtreCheckPro EtreCheck Pro.

Then post back here with your report as instructed here: How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

Finder does not ‘close’. It is always open and running on your Mac.

Please say more about what you are trying to accomplish I repeatedly re-launching Finder.

pebunn wrote:

I have had to repeatedly use Relaunch to close Finder.

As asked by neuroanatomist, why are you "closing" Finder? What do you mean by "closing" Finder? And why do you feel you need to "relaunch" Finder?

In addition, there are times when I log into my machine and I find that Finder(?) has opened hard drive locations (but not individual folders) in which I heavily uploaded and saved docs (Word) and spreadsheets (Excel) during a previous session.

What do you mean by "opened hard drive locations (but not individual folders)"? What exactly do you see when this happens? A screenshot might help.

Also, the term "upload" as you are using it ... what are you meaning by use of that term? Are you uploading files to a cloud location, or copying files to an external drive, or to some other folder on your internal drive ... or something else?

I use TimeMachine to automatically upload MB hard drive files to a ScanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD (2TB)

The above sentence is also confusing. Time Machine does not "upload" files, it copies them to external drives. And what is meant by "MB hard drive files"?

Note: there are Settings you can change that govern whether folders are preserved on the screen as they were, when restarting or logging out/in from/to a Mac, or when quitting an app.

pebunn wrote:

Here is a screenshot and example of the "window" that I keep trying to close by clicking on the "X" but it won't close (or it freezes.) And I have to resort to using Relaunch function on Finder to close it.

?

I do not see an "X".....(?)

If you want to close a finder window hit the red pill button in the upper left of the Window.

Your screen shot missed that part of the window.

The only place I expect to see an X is if you have more that one Desktop open and your mouse is hovering on that Desktop (see Mission Control) maybe this is part of the confusion.

ref: View open windows and spaces in Mission Control on Mac

pebunn wrote:

If I understand you correctly, yes, I am well aware of finding and clicking on an "X" to close an open Desktop. I never use Mission Control so I doubt that might have an effect. But I'll review the article. Thanks.

BTW, the red "X" is only missing due to my rookie mistakes of trying to crop my iPhone photos. It's definitely there on the full photo.

I see now your "x"

to be honest I never noticed in all these decades— if you hover your mouse an x does appear.