Mission Control Preferences

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 77 views

Introduction

Are you tired of having new fullscreen windows on your Mac open in the first space every time you launch a new application? Do you want to be able to have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side, without having to manually move them to the desired space? If so, you're in luck, as we've got the solution for you.

Understanding the Problem

When you open a new fullscreen window on your Mac, it can be frustrating to have it automatically move to the first space, especially if you're in the middle of working on a project and need to have multiple windows open at the same time. This can be a major productivity killer, especially for those who work with multiple applications simultaneously.

The Solution: Unchecking "Automatically Rearrange Spaces Based on Windows"

The solution to this problem lies in the System Preferences. To stop fullscreen windows from moving to the first space when you open a new program in fullscreen mode, you need to uncheck the option "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" in the Mission Control preferences.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To uncheck this option, follow these simple steps:

Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences".
Select Mission Control: In the System Preferences window, click on the "Mission Control" icon.
Uncheck "Automatically Rearrange Spaces Based on Windows": In the Mission Control preferences window, uncheck the box next to "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows".

What This Does

By unchecking this option, you're telling your Mac to leave the new fullscreen window in the current space, rather than automatically moving it to the first space. This means that you can have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side, without having to manually move them to the desired space.

Additional Tips and Tricks

While unchecking this option is the main solution to the problem, there are a few additional tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your Mac's fullscreen windows:

Use the "Tile" Option: When you open a new fullscreen window, you can use the "Tile" option to have it open in a new space, rather than automatically moving it to the first space. To do this, hold down the Option key while clicking on the "New Window" button in the application you're using.
Use the "Spaces" Tab: In the Mission Control preferences window, you can use the "Spaces" tab to customize the behavior of your spaces. For example, you can set the number of spaces you want to have, and choose which applications you want to open in each space.
Use Third-Party Applications: There are a number of third-party applications available that can help you customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows. For example, you can use applications like "BetterSnapTool" or "SizeUp" to customize the size and position of your windows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having new fullscreen windows open next to the current window on your Mac is a simple process that requires just a few clicks in the System Preferences. By unchecking the "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" option, you can have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side, without having to manually move them to the desired space. With these additional tips and tricks, you can get the most out of your Mac's fullscreen windows and improve your productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do my fullscreen windows keep moving to the first space?

A: This is likely because the "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" option is checked in the Mission Control preferences. To stop this from happening, uncheck this option.

Q: How can I have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side?

A: To have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side, you need to uncheck the "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" option in the Mission Control preferences. You can then use the "Tile" option to have new fullscreen windows open in a new space, rather than automatically moving them to the first space.

Q: Are there any third-party applications that can help me customize the behavior of my fullscreen windows?

A: Yes, there are a number of third-party applications available that can help you customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows. For example, you can use applications like "BetterSnapTool" or "SizeUp" to customize the size and position of your windows.

Additional Resources

Apple Support: For more information on how to customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows, check out the Apple Support website.
Mission Control Preferences: To access the Mission Control preferences, click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences". Then, click on the "Mission Control" icon.
Third-Party Applications: For a list of third-party applications that can help you customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows, check out the Mac App Store or other online marketplaces.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed how to have new fullscreen Mac windows open next to the current window by unchecking the "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" option in the Mission Control preferences. However, we know that you may still have some questions about this process. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about having new fullscreen Mac windows open next to the current window.

Q: Why do my fullscreen windows keep moving to the first space?

A: This is likely because the "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" option is checked in the Mission Control preferences. To stop this from happening, uncheck this option. This will allow you to have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side, without having to manually move them to the desired space.

Q: How can I have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side?

A: To have multiple fullscreen windows open side by side, you need to uncheck the "Automatically rearrange spaces based on windows" option in the Mission Control preferences. You can then use the "Tile" option to have new fullscreen windows open in a new space, rather than automatically moving them to the first space.

Q: What is the "Tile" option?

A: The "Tile" option is a feature in Mac OS that allows you to have new windows open in a new space, rather than automatically moving them to the first space. To use the "Tile" option, hold down the Option key while clicking on the "New Window" button in the application you're using.

Q: How do I use the "Tile" option?

A: To use the "Tile" option, follow these steps:

Hold down the Option key: While holding down the Option key, click on the "New Window" button in the application you're using.
Select the "Tile" option: A menu will appear with the "Tile" option. Select this option to have the new window open in a new space.
Customize the tile: You can customize the tile by selecting the size and position of the new window.

Q: Are there any third-party applications that can help me customize the behavior of my fullscreen windows?

A: Yes, there are a number of third-party applications available that can help you customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows. For example, you can use applications like "BetterSnapTool" or "SizeUp" to customize the size and position of your windows.

Q: What are some popular third-party applications for customizing fullscreen windows?

A: Some popular third-party applications for customizing fullscreen windows include:

BetterSnapTool: This application allows you to customize the size and position of your windows, as well as add custom snap areas.
SizeUp: This application allows you to customize the size and position of your windows, as well as add custom snap areas.
Magnet: This application allows you to customize the size and position of your windows, as well as add custom snap areas.

Q: How do I install third-party applications on my Mac?

A: To install third-party applications on your Mac, follow these steps:

Open the Mac App Store: Click on the Mac App Store icon in the Dock or search for it in Spotlight.
Search for the application: Type the name of the application you want to install in the search bar.
Select the application: Select the application you want to install from the search results.
Click the "Get" button: Click the "Get" button to download and install the application.
Enter your password: Enter your password to authenticate the installation.

Q: Are third-party applications safe to use?

A: Yes, third-party applications are generally safe to use. However, it's always a good idea to read reviews and check the application's ratings before installing it.

Q: Can I customize the behavior of my fullscreen windows using the Terminal?

A: Yes, you can customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows using the Terminal. You can use Terminal commands to customize the size and position of your windows, as well as add custom snap areas.

Q: What are some common Terminal commands for customizing fullscreen windows?

A: Some common Terminal commands for customizing fullscreen windows include:

defaults write com.apple.Dock tilesize -int 128: This command sets the tile size to 128 pixels.
defaults write com.apple.Dock orientation -string horizontal: This command sets the dock orientation to horizontal.
defaults write com.apple.Dock autohide -bool true: This command sets the dock to autohide.

Conclusion

In this article, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about having new fullscreen Mac windows open next to the current window. We've covered topics such as the "Tile" option, third-party applications, and Terminal commands for customizing fullscreen windows. We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions and providing you with the information you need to customize the behavior of your fullscreen windows.