It can be very frustrating when downloads from the web automatically open on your Mac. Part of the reason is that some web files are not safe and may be infected with malware. Also, when downloads are in the form of pictures, video, or other types of media, they can cause disruptions when they open.
It can be very frustrating when downloads from the web automatically open on your Mac. Part of the reason is that some web files are not safe and may be infected with malware. Also, when downloads are in the form of pictures, video, or other types of media, they can cause disruptions when they open. By default on Mac, iTunes opens automatically when you plug your iPhone or iPad into your computer. If you have a Mac, the Photos app will also automatically open. But for many people this causes a lot of problems, including computer freezes. Luckily, you can disable iTunes auto launch pretty easily. Depending on your settings, some apps, like the Mail app, may open automatically when you log in. If you want to stop this, the first thing you should check is your settings to see if if Mail is set to launch at login.
In this article, we will not only show you how to disable your Mac from automatically opening downloads from the web, but also provide tips on how to protect your computer and data in general.
In many cases, updating the affected app cures the problem. Delete the app preference file. Plist files can become corrupt when a Mac shuts down or restarts unexpectedly or when an app freezes or crashes. As a result, the app may not open. When you delete a bad preference file, the Mac creates a new plist file that contains all the app's defaults automatically. When I turn on my computer and log on, it opens certain programs automatically, which makes it slow for me to open what I WANT until it is done opening them. How do I change this? First, note that you should be concerned with all programs that start automatically, not just with those that go into the system tray.
How to Disable Your Mac from Automatically Opening Downloads from the Web
To stop your Mac from opening downloads automatically, you will have to adjust your browser settings. The native browser of Macs, Safari, has a default feature that automatically opens all downloaded files that are considered safe. You have to disable this.
https://renewcities501.weebly.com/mac-install-app-on-another-hard-drive.html. The following is a list of files that the Safari browser considers safe:
- Pictures
- Movies
- Sounds
- PDF files
- Text documents
- Disc images, such as DMG files
- Some other archive types
Disable Safari’s ‘Open Safe Files’ Setting on MacOS
To disable the Open Safe Files settings on your Safari, you need to go to Preferences. Better yet, follow the instructions below:
- Launch the Safari browser and click on the Safari menu at the top of the screen.
- Click on Preferences and go the General tab.
- Untick the Open “safe” files after downloading checkbox.
This will prevent files from being automatically opened once they are downloaded to your computer.
Stopping Downloaded Files from Automatically Opening on Google Chrome
Stopping downloaded files from automatically opening on Google Chrome is a little more complicated because it has no “Open ‘Safe’ files after downloading” feature as is the case with Safari. Some versions of Chrome have a setting that asks Always open files of this type instead. The latest version of Chrome lacks this feature entirely.
To access this feature in the older versions of the browser, take the following steps
- Navigate to the Downloads page by clicking on the three-dot menu on the right side of the browser.
- On the list of downloads, right-click on file types, such as images, videos, audio, etc.
- On the list of options, click on Always open files of this type. Choose the file types that you don’t want to automatically open after being downloaded.
Again, Chrome seems to have done away with this feature, and if it really bothers you that files are opening automatically when you download them using Chrome, the solution might be just to quit the browser.
Stopping Download Files from Automatically Opening on Mozilla Firefox
Whenever you download a file on Firefox, the Internet Media type or MIME determines what action the browser will take. Some downloads are handled automatically by apps installed on your Mac. In other cases, a dialogue box will ask whether you want to save the file or open it with a specific application.
How you deal with the files will tell Firefox what to do next time. Checking the “Do this automatically for files like this from now on” option will guide the browser’s actions the next time around for a file of the same type. Thus, if you want to disable downloads from automatically opening on Firefox, you will have to tweak this setting to reflect your preferences.
Here is how to change the actions of Firefox for different content types:
- Click on the browser’s menu button and navigate to Options.
- Navigate to the General panel and choose Applications.
- Select the entry for the file type whose actions upon download you want to change. Note that some file types include more than one Internet Media type, images, for instance, can be gif, jpg or png.
- On the Actions column, you will see a drop-down menu that will give you options to take whenever you download or click on the type of file.
The following is a detailed description of the Action options:
- Preview in Firefox – This will give you the option of opening the file on Firefox.
- Always Ask – This option will let you select the action that Firefox should take whenever you click a specific file type.
- Save file – This option will let you save the file on your computer.
- Use – This option will let you open the file with an application of your choosing.
How to Reset Download Actions for All Content Types on Firefox
If you are experiencing problems with how Firefox is handling download files on your Mac, you can revert the file handling settings to default. This can be done by deleting the file that handles these settings. The following are the steps to take:
- Open your profile folder by clicking the menu button > Help > Troubleshooting Information.
- Under the Applications Basics section, choose Open Folder.
- Close Firefox by choosing Exit on the menu.
- Delete (or rename) the handlers.json file.
- Restart Firefox.
This will reset the download actions for all content on the browser. Check if the problem has been resolved.
Tips on How to Protect Your Computer and Data
Stopping downloads from automatically opening is just one way to protect your computer and data. The following guide will help you become more aware of the threats that exist in the cyberspace and how to protect yourself. Photo editing apps for mac.
- Download apps, files, and plugins only from trusted sources. Your browser will sometimes warn you about a suspicious file. Make sure you pay attention to the warning.
- Refrain from downloading plugins to view pictures, music, videos, and other online content, unless you are sure of their legitimacy. Most browsers and even MacOS have free applications and features that allow you to view and listen to these file types. You can use them instead.
- Refrain from downloading files and apps that are offered for free through email. They may contain malware.
- Configure your file sharing applications properly for the following reasons:
- A file sharing application such as Team Viewer can give a malicious actor full access to your computer.
- File sharing applications can be used as launchpads for malware and viruses
- Refrain from clicking ads on social media or email that redirect to sites where you have to download software of any kind.
- Avoid downloading unsolicited attachments.
- If you have to use portable media on your computer, scan it with the help of antivirus software.
- Always have your antivirus software on and up-to-date. This will help prevent infections from malware.
![Open Open](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133912786/696184899.jpg)
Lastly but most importantly, clean your computer often with a reliable Mac repair tool, such as Tweakbit MacRepair. This will remove any performance limiting issues like registry entry errors, and junk files.
If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
Several Mac users have reported that the Mail app window just pops up randomly and for no reason. Are you also having this problem on your Mac? This short article explains how you can stop the Mail app from keep launching itself automatically while using the computer. This is an annoying problem because it will interrupt what you are doing.
Please try each step until your issue is fixed:
How to download amazon prime video app on macbook pro. 1-Are your having this problem when you first open your computer. Depending on your settings, some apps, like the Mail app, may open automatically when you log in. If you want to stop this, the first thing you should check is your settings to see if if Mail is set to launch at login. Here is how you can check this:
- On your Mac, open System Preferences (from the Apple menu at the top-left of the screen), or use Terminal.
- Click Users & Groups
- Click the Login Items tab
- Here you will see the apps that will open automatically at login. If Mail is there, you can stop it from opening automatically, select and and click the minus icon to remove it.
![Why Do Apps Automatically Open On Mac Why Do Apps Automatically Open On Mac](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133912786/116233983.png)
2-Another change you you want to make is to disable the “Close windows when quitting an application” option. You can do that by going to System Preferences and click the General pane and the check the “Close windows when quitting an application” box.
3-Some Mac computers support a feature called “Power Nap”. If you enable this, you Mac will check for new mail messages (among other things) while it is asleep. You may want to disable this. Again not all Mac models support this feature. The following models support this:
- MacBook (Early 2015 and later)
- MacBook Air (Late 2010 and later)
- MacBook Pro (all models with Retina display)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 and later)
- iMac (Late 2012 and later)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013)
To turn this off, go to System Preferences. And click Energy Saver. And then uncheck the “Enable Power Nap” box.
4-It has been reported that email settings in Google Calendar may cause this. Are you using a Gmail account? If so, you may want to try this. (see also: Gmail not working?)
- Visit the Google Calendar site (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/)
- Login if not already
- Click the Settings Menu icon (upper right hand corner of your screen – gear icon) and from the pull down menu, click Settings
- Select your Calendar
- Scroll and find the General Notifications section
- And change all this notification settings from Email to None. (There are five options)
Further your may also want to disable event settings notifications. Here is how: Textwrangler for mac free download.
- Click the General tab (left area)
- Click Event Settings
- Click Notifications
- And select “Off”
See also: Calendar Invitation: Your Response To The Invitation Cannot Be Sent
5-Some users reports indicate that Mail will launch in split view. If you are having this problem, here is what you can do:
- Open the Mail app
- Click Mail and Preferences (from the menu bar)
- Click the General tab
- And then deselect the “Prefer opening messages in split view when in full screen” box
- And close the window
6–Restart your Mac in Safe Mode. Here is how:
- Turn off your Mac
- Turn on your Mac while pressing and holding the Shift key
- Release the Shift key when you see the login screen.
- Now your Mac is in Safe Mode. Does your problem still occur?
- If now, restart your Mac normally, without pressing the Shift key
Why Do Apps Automatically Open On Macbook Pro
7-Force quit the Mail app. Here is how:
- Option, Command, and Esc
- Select the Mail app
- Click Quit
- Now restart your Mac
If none of the tips help you, you may contact Apple. You can also give Apple feedback about this problem.
Why Do Apps Automatically Open On Macbook
See also: How To Open Winmail.dat Attachments