macOS 10.12: Finder windows sometimes close after startup

[ValterV]

Hi, I just got a Mac Mini 2014 and I installed macOS 10.12 on it (for compatibility with older software).
I usually keep open many Finder windows, and I want them to stay open when I (re)start my Mac. Of course the "Reopen windows on next login" (or something like that - I'm Italian) option is checked.
This usually works, but sometimes I start my Mini and all Finder windows are closed. Bummer! :-(

Before this Mini I have been using an iMac 2009 with OSX 10.9 for many years, and this never happened: Finder windows always stayed open on startup (the same when I was using OSX 10.6).
So it looks like this issue has to do with macOS 10.12.
Checking the Internet I didn't find any hint.

Any idea why this happens, and how to avoid it?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Is it Finder windows that don't re-open or other apps you have as well?

 

[toMACsh]

sometimes I start my Mini and all Finder windows are closed. Bummer! :-(

Then what do you do? How many windows are we talking about? Where do their folders live?

 

[IWT]

@ValterV

When you Shut Down or Restart your Mac, you should get a warning like this:



In your case, you should have "Reopen windows when logging back in" Ticked.

That will ensure that all Windows remain open.

Ian

 

[ferrarr]

I think NVRAM reset should help.

Reset NVRAM on your Mac

Or maybe safe mode boot.

Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

Safe mode can help you to determine whether an issue is caused by software that loads as your Mac starts up.

support.apple.com

 

[ValterV]

Is it Finder windows that don't re-open or other apps you have as well?

Finder.
Before shutting it down, I usually close all apps.

 

[ValterV]

Then what do you do?

I reopen them, of course

How many windows are we talking about?

From five to 15, usually a dozen, with some having multiple tabs.

Where do their folders live?

Since this happens just sometimes, and for ALL of them, I think this doesn't matter.
Anyway, the windows are from both the startup volume and other volumes (inner SSD drive, anyway). No network folders.

 

[ValterV]

In your case, you should have "Reopen windows when logging back in" Ticked.

As I said, it IS always ticked /checked
(I wrote "Reopen windows on next login", since in Italian is different).

 

[ValterV]

I think NVRAM reset should help.

Or maybe safe mode boot.

I will try that, thanks.

But why should it fix it? The system option should just be ON or OFF. Why it usually works, and sometimes it does not?
Is macOS 10.12 "forgetful"? ;-D

 

[IWT]

As I said, it IS always ticked /checked
(I wrote "Reopen windows on next login", since in Italian is different).

My apologies. You did indeed say so.

Ian

 

[ferrarr]

Is macOS 10.12 "forgetful"? ;-D

Nop, but sometimes things need maintenance to keep them operating properly.

 

[MacInWin]

If the Finder windows are the same every time, try putting them in System Preferences/User & Groups/<<your account>>/Login items. Just click on the lock icon on the Preferences pane, then provide an admin password, then click the "+" button below the list of items that start on your login and drag the folders you want open from a Finder window to drop them in that window. Next time, Finder should start and open that folder for you. The Folders can be on the boot drive or external drives, if they are always attached.

 

[toMACsh]

I reopen them, of course

From five to 15, usually a dozen, with some having multiple tabs.

I can see why that is an annoyance. If the other suggestions don't fix the problem, perhaps you could use Automator to set up a one-click solution to open them all, or several if sometimes you only want to open a sub-set of the group.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

If it's not re-opening these, it could be because Finder technically crashed before the restart process could complete. What I would try is some basic housecleaning with Onyx. Run its maintenance tools to clean out the caches and maybe also rebuilt the Spotlight and Locate databases. If yer lucky, this will cure it.

If that doesn't work, download and apply the most recent Combo Update for your version of OS X; then run those tools with Onyx again.

 

[Slydude]

If the Finder windows are the same every time, try putting them in System Preferences/User & Groups/<<your account>>/Login items. Just click on the lock icon on the Preferences pane, then provide an admin password, then click the "+" button below the list of items that start on your login and drag the folders you want open from a Finder window to drop them in that window. Next time, Finder should start and open that folder for you. The Folders can be on the boot drive or external drives, if they are always attached.

Wow, I didn't know that was possible. The tip about using Automator should work as well.

 

[MacInWin]

Wow, I didn't know that was possible. The tip about using Automator should work as well.

I open two directories on two networked devices by putting them in the login items. Finder opens each in a window when I log on. No reason why it shouldn't be able to open a local folder, and I did test to see if a local folder will add to the login items successfully. It should work.

 

[Slydude]

I've done that with networked volumes although I found it easier to use Automator because I want that as one of several steps. I've never applied it to local Finder windows though but it should work.

 

[ValterV]

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I did reset NVRAM, booted in Safe Mode, and run Onyx. Hope this fixes the issue.

Regarding Automator, that's useful when the windows are always the same. But, in my case, they vary according on what I'm working on.

BTW, when I was using an Applescript on boot (added in System Prefs / User & Groups / Login Items) to open some apps at startup, this issue (Finder windows not re-opening) seemed happening more often. After I disabled that script, it happened less.
I have no idea why an Applescript could made this happen. Do you?

 

[Slydude]

Not a big scripted but I think we would need to know what specific commands were included in the script before we could figure that out.

 

[toMACsh]

Regarding Automator, that's useful when the windows are always the same. But, in my case, they vary according on what I'm working on.

Yes, so I assumed. That's why I suggested maybe several could be set up for different groups of windows.