Preview keeps launching with the "open file" prompt in macOS Tahoe

Switch to Preview, and open the Window menu. Is there any window there?

Quit Preview, make sure it is not running, and immediately restart your mac.

Does Preview open again?

If so, shut down, and then start your Mac in Safe Mode. Does Preview still start automatically in Safe Mode?

(I fully expect it won't).

Dominique195 wrote:

To back up that claim, I point at an icon that appears but for a fleeting moment in the taskbar moments before Preview gets launched, and then disappears. Clearly, there is a process running somewhere that launched Preview, although none I could identify so far;

Pardon me, but what "taskbar " ? This is generally associated with a Microsoft Windows Environment versus maybe the Dock in macOS

However and whoever one may call this

If, as has been mentioned " there is a process running somewhere "

To avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A  and Q&A  

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 

The application is free or paid for added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

Perhaps my colleague may have overlooked the appropriate links for exploring the " click sensitivity on your trackpad/mouse "

This can happen, so providing some of them now

Mouse >> Mouse settings on Mac

Trackpad >> Change Trackpad settings on Mac

Trackpad and Mouse >> Change mouse or trackpad tracking, double-click, and scrolling speed on Mac

2SSophie wrote:

I'm very eager to see an efficient explanation and a useful answer: I've had the exact same issue, since upgrading to Tahoe. Preview keeps launching randomly (no clicking, no action whatsoever). It doesn't open any file, it's just that the software becomes "active" (the icon on the dock has a dot below).

Makes me nuts!

I have to add that for a few weeks, Quicktime showed the same behaviour. It disappeared after the 26.1 update.

Same issue ?

Same advise

To avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A  and Q&A  

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then  paste  >>>> using the Additional Text Icon  <<<<

Perhaps check the click sensitivity on your trackpad/mouse?

I have exactly the same issue with my M4 iMac.

Immediately after I boot my M4 up each morning, and log in, the Preview icon is shown on the extreme right of the dock with a black dot below it.

This has only started since the upgrade to OS Tahoe BUT, ironically, on my M1 iMac running Tahoe this does not happen and the Preview icon only appears after some other action has taken place.

Both of the iMacs have the same programs launched at log in and both require a password to carry out the log in.

If you’re seeing an icon flashing up briefly, that’s probably due to a 3rd party app/extension causing the issue.

OP wrote " I am suspecting that there's an association somewhere between image files and the action of Preview launching, but I can't figure out where to spot it. "

Preview application is generally the Default application to Open Image files

Instead of actually launching Preview to View or Edit image files

You can use Quick Look

View and edit files with Quick Look on Mac

Dominique195 wrote:

Thanks for the answer.

In fact, I am not trying to launch Preview; it does so on its own. It seems that every time I browse through images on Finder, Preview kicks off with the Open File prompt, even if I do not open anything.

Would this make sense?

You are welcome

The Preview application will Not Launch without purposeful and conscience actions on the part of the User ( you )

Like, clicking on an image file and pressing the Return key

At least, that is how it is working on 3 Apple Computers I use each with Tahoe 26.0.1

Dominique195 wrote:

Thanks for the answer.

In fact, I am not trying to launch Preview; it does so on its own. It seems that every time I browse through images on Finder, Preview kicks off with the Open File prompt, even if I do not open anything.

Would this make sense?

To Drill Down further

Does this type of issue also occur with all your Other Non-Image files where the Default Application for that file also " keeps launching on its own " ??

Exactly the same for me. Right from the get go on the update to Tahoe - there was the icon sitting on the dock. It's not from any action I have conciously taken. It doesn't appear in the list of start-up apps. So like you I'm stumped.