New to iMac usage and need help

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Level 1

10 points

New to iMac usage and need help

I'm new to using the iMac that was given to me. My former computer usage was Windows 7. My question is, when I initially turn on the iMac and before I select a browser I see things on my screen that I don't want there. I see what appears to be screens connected to what appear to be my email account and messaging? How did those windows/screens appear without me requesting them? More importantly, how do I make it so that those two screens won't appear when I initially turn on my iMac? Sure would appreciate some help. Thank you.

iMac 27″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 19, 2024 11:03 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 19, 2024 2:12 PM in response to sciencemagic

You can find the 'hidden' manual for all things macOS by clicking in the Finder menu bar > Help > macOS Help.

When the Help widow opens, you can search for all manner of topics in the macOS User Guide.

The macOS User Guide is also online here: Mac User Guide - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Nov 19, 2024 4:31 PM in response to sciencemagic

Apple did indeed move the control around – and rename it – between Monterey and Ventura. This article should have correct instructions for both.

Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Nov 19, 2024 11:41 AM in response to sciencemagic

The Mac is probably remembering what you had open when you turned it off – and attempting to restore things to the way they were when you start it up again.

If you go into System Settings > Desktop & Dock, you may see a control called "Close windows when quitting an application" whose description says "When enabled, open documents and windows will not be restored when you re-open an application."

It sounds like you would want to turn this control on.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

210,597 points

Nov 19, 2024 3:16 PM in response to sciencemagic

Make sure this checkbox is not checked when you shut down your iMac:

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Answer 5

Nov 19, 2024 11:45 AM in response to sciencemagic

I see that your tag line says that you are running macOS 12.7 (Monterey).

So you'd probably be looking for System Preferences, and the control might be located somewhere else within it. (System Preferences was the name of the application for a long, long time … then Apple renamed it, and shuffled a bunch of stuff around, in the version of macOS immediately following yours.)

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Answer 6

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 19, 2024 4:13 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Servant of Cats,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I don't see Desktop & Dock anywhere in System Preferences in my OS Monterey. I do see Desktop & Screen saver or Dock and Menu bar. But, nonetheless there is no option for "Close windows when quitting an application" in either System Preferences. I would like try your suggestion if I could somehow locate a way to access your suggestion. I do know most of the time I close all the tabs in the menu bar before I close my iMac though. But, nonetheless I keep seeing a screen/ window I don't want when I open my iMac. Does your suggestion take that into account? Appreciate your help, thanks.

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Answer 7

sciencemagic Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 19, 2024 4:22 PM in response to Old Toad

Old Toad,

Thanks for your reply. I don't believe I see what you are showing when I turn off my iMac. But, I certainly will look more closely when I shut down to make sure. Nonetheless, I will make sure I don't enable "Reopen windows when logging back in" as you suggest. I can see with my iMac having a older OS like Monterey, I can see that options I'm suppose to see when I access System Preferences aren't there and things just are different depending on the OS that Apple uses can make things somewhat confusing for a iMac newbie. Thanks, Old Toad.

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