macOS defaults

Appearance

Keep windows when quitting an application ​

When enabled, open documents and windows will be restored when you re-open an application.

⚠️ Restarting the Mac or closing the session is necessary to take the changes into effect.

  • Tested on macOS:
    • Sequoia
  • Parameter type: bool

Set to true (default value) ​

Keep windows when quitting an application. Open documents and windows will be restored when you re-open an application.

bash
defaults write NSGlobalDomain "NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows" -bool "true"

Set to false ​

Close windows when quitting an application. Open documents and windows will not be restored when you re-open an application.

bash
defaults write NSGlobalDomain "NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows" -bool "false"

Read current value ​

bash
defaults read NSGlobalDomain "NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows"

Reset to default value ​

bash
defaults delete NSGlobalDomain "NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows"

Set value from UI ​

This setting is the inverse of the following option accessible through System Preferences.

  1. Open the Desktop & Dock preference pane in System Preferences.
  2. Toggle "Close windows when quitting an application".