Normal windows always open in previously used Windows virtual desktop instead of current one

[riteshrajd]

Captchas

• [x] I have read the instructions.
• [x] I have searched existing issues and avoided creating duplicates.
• [x] I am not filing an enhancement request.
• [x] I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.
• [x] I have checked that this issue can be reproduced once I removed all my Mods and Custom CSS.

What happened?

🐛 Bug: Zen browser always opens first window in previous desktop

🧩 Description There appears to be an issue with how the normal Zen browser window chooses which virtual desktop to open in, under specific circumstances on Windows 11.

Steps to Reproduce: If no Zen window is currently open, launching Zen from any desktop opens it in that current desktop ✅.

After that, if one window is open, launching Zen again opens new windows correctly in the current desktop ✅.

However, if all Zen windows are closed, and then Zen is launched again, the first new window always opens in the desktop that previously had the last active Zen window ❌.

Also, if Zen was last active in Desktop 2, then I close that window, and I then drag Desktop 2 to the position of Desktop 4 (so it is now labeled Desktop 4), the next time I launch Zen from desktop 3 or 2 for example, it will still open in that same desktop (now called Desktop 4), based on where the last active window was — not the current desktop I’m on.

If I delete/close that desktop (to which zen is defaulting to), the behavior resets. Zen will again open wherever it is launched — until the above pattern begins again.

✅ What Works as Expected Zen Private Browsing windows do not have this issue — they always open in the current desktop, even if it's the first window opened.

💡 Additional Notes This behavior is consistent and reproducible regardless of how the browser is launched (shortcut, Start menu, or PowerToys Run). It seems the browser retains a reference to the desktop from the last closed window and defaults back to it when opening the next first window — except in private mode.

💻 System Info Zen Version: 1.12.3b (Firefox 138.0.1) (64-bit) OS: Windows 11 Version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.3775) Architecture: 64-bit OS, x64-based processor Launch Methods Tested: Desktop shortcut, Start menu, PowerToys Run Affected: Only normal windows (not private windows)

Version

1.12.3b

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

Windows - x64

What component is this issue related to?

Other

Relevant log output if applicable

[codeAbinash]

Same problem here. It is very annoying.

[lannibu]

Yes... it's really annoying even on AwesomeWM... Like, I can't even apply rules for windows to Zen because the rules are only applied when the window is spawned... and Zen moves itself after spawning... so rules are basically useless here...

I wish there was an option to simply disable saving window placement and geometry when saving a session... So the restored session would open on the current active desktop like everything else does... :c

[codeAbinash]

It is the only reason I'm not using zen.

[Comp-Tech-Guy]

It is there till now Please help us

[dosubot[bot]]

Hi, @riteshrajd. I'm Dosu, and I'm helping the desktop team manage their backlog. I'm marking this issue as stale.

Issue Summary:

• The Zen browser on Windows 11 reopens normal windows in the previously used virtual desktop.
• Private browsing windows do not exhibit this behavior.
• The issue persists across different launch methods.
• Users, including @codeAbinash and @lannibu, have expressed frustration.
• @lannibu suggested an option to disable saving window placement.

Next Steps:

• Please confirm if this issue is still relevant to the latest version of the desktop repository by commenting here.
• If no updates are provided, the issue will be automatically closed in 7 days.

Thank you for your understanding and contribution!

[ogulyurdakul]

Hello, I have a very similar issue here. The difference is that it (v1.13.2b) doesn't open in the previously used virtual desktop, it opens in a very specific one. It used to be very beneficial as I keep all my browsers in one virtual desktop, but now for some reason the desktop changed and I can't find a way to reconfigure this.

[dosubot[bot]]

Hi, @riteshrajd. I'm Dosu, and I'm helping the desktop team manage their backlog. I'm marking this issue as stale.

Issue Summary:

• The issue involves Zen browser windows reopening in the previously used virtual desktop on Windows 11.
• Private browsing windows do not exhibit this behavior.
• Users, including @codeAbinash and @lannibu, have expressed frustration, with a suggestion to disable saving window placement.
• @ogulyurdakul reported a similar issue with a specific virtual desktop.

Next Steps:

• Please confirm if this issue is still relevant to the latest version of the desktop repository by commenting here.
• If no updates are provided, the issue will be automatically closed in 7 days.

Thank you for your understanding and contribution!

[maartenku]

This issue is still happening for me at version 1.14.11b. I'am running Windows 11. If I'am on virtual desktop 1 Zen will open on virtual desktop 2. When opening it again it will open on virtual desktop 1 (the active one). When I then go to virtual desktop 2 and close Zen, go to desktop 1 and close Zen and after this open in again it will behave as expected and open at virtual desktop 1.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Setup 3 Virtual Desktops in Windows 11
2. Switch to Virtual Desktop 1 from Virtual Desktop 2 by using (Ctrl + Winows + Left Arrow)
3. Launch Zen (this will launch Zen on Virtual Desktop 2)
4. Launch Zen again (this will launch Zen on Virtual Destkop 1, the active one)
5. Switch to Virtual Desktop 2 by using (Ctrl + Windows + Right Arrow)
6. Close Zen
7. Switch back to Virtual Desktop 1 by using (Ctrl + Windows + Left Arrow)
8. Close Zen
9. Launch Zen again (this will correctly launch Zen at Virtual Desktop 1)

[blouflab]

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