Moving An Icon On The Dock Triggers Keep In Dock, Any Way To Prevent This?

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Introduction

Are you tired of accidentally enabling the "Keep in Dock" feature every time you try to move an icon on your Mac's dock? This frustrating issue can be a major inconvenience, especially if you have a cluttered dock with multiple icons. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this behavior and provide you with some effective solutions to prevent it from happening.

Understanding the "Keep in Dock" Feature

The "Keep in Dock" feature is a built-in setting in macOS that allows you to pin an application or document to the dock, making it easily accessible from the dock. When you enable this feature, the icon will remain on the dock even after you close the application or document. However, this feature can sometimes be triggered accidentally, especially when you're trying to move an icon to a different location on the dock.

The Problem: Moving an Icon Triggers "Keep in Dock"

If you right-click an icon on the dock, hover over the "Options" menu, and uncheck the "Keep in Dock" option, you might expect that the feature will be disabled. However, if you then proceed to drag the icon to move it, the "Keep in Dock" option will be re-enabled, and the icon will be pinned to the dock. This can be a major frustration, especially if you're trying to organize your dock and keep it clutter-free.

Why Does This Happen?

So, why does moving an icon on the dock trigger the "Keep in Dock" feature? The answer lies in the way macOS handles dock icons. When you move an icon on the dock, macOS creates a temporary copy of the icon, which is then used to update the dock. However, this temporary copy is still linked to the original icon, and when you release the icon, the "Keep in Dock" feature is re-enabled.

Solutions to Prevent "Keep in Dock" from Triggering

Fortunately, there are several solutions to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering when you move an icon on the dock. Here are a few effective methods:

1. Use the "Dock & Menu Bar" Preference Pane

One way to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering is to use the "Dock & Menu Bar" preference pane. To access this pane, follow these steps:

  • Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
  • Click on the "Dock & Menu Bar" icon.
  • Uncheck the box next to "Automatically keep frequently used applications in the Dock."
  • Click "OK" to save the changes.

By disabling this feature, you can prevent the "Keep in Dock" option from being re-enabled when you move an icon on the dock.

2. Use the "Dock" Preference Pane

Another way to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering is to use the "Dock" preference pane. To access this pane, follow these steps:

  • Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
  • Click on the "Dock" icon.
  • Uncheck the box next to "Show recent applications in the Dock."
  • Click "OK" to save the changes.

By disabling this feature, you can prevent the "Keep in Dock" option from being re-enabled when you move an icon on the dock.

3. Use a Third-Party Dock Utility

If you're looking for a more advanced solution, you can use a third-party dock utility to customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering. Some popular dock utilities include:

  • Dockifier: A free dock utility that allows you to customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.
  • DockStar: A paid dock utility that offers advanced features, including the ability to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.
  • DockX: A free dock utility that allows you to customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.

Conclusion

Q: Why does moving an icon on the dock trigger the "Keep in Dock" feature?

A: The "Keep in Dock" feature is triggered when you move an icon on the dock because macOS creates a temporary copy of the icon, which is then used to update the dock. However, this temporary copy is still linked to the original icon, and when you release the icon, the "Keep in Dock" feature is re-enabled.

Q: How can I prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering when I move an icon on the dock?

A: There are several ways to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering when you move an icon on the dock. You can use the "Dock & Menu Bar" preference pane, the "Dock" preference pane, or a third-party dock utility to customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.

Q: What is the "Dock & Menu Bar" preference pane, and how can I use it to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering?

A: The "Dock & Menu Bar" preference pane is a system preference that allows you to customize the dock and menu bar. To use it to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering, follow these steps:

  • Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
  • Click on the "Dock & Menu Bar" icon.
  • Uncheck the box next to "Automatically keep frequently used applications in the Dock."
  • Click "OK" to save the changes.

Q: What is the "Dock" preference pane, and how can I use it to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering?

A: The "Dock" preference pane is a system preference that allows you to customize the dock. To use it to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering, follow these steps:

  • Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
  • Click on the "Dock" icon.
  • Uncheck the box next to "Show recent applications in the Dock."
  • Click "OK" to save the changes.

Q: What are some popular third-party dock utilities that I can use to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering?

A: Some popular third-party dock utilities that you can use to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering include:

  • Dockifier: A free dock utility that allows you to customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.
  • DockStar: A paid dock utility that offers advanced features, including the ability to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.
  • DockX: A free dock utility that allows you to customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.

Q: Are there any other ways to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering?

A: Yes, there are several other ways to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering. You can also try using a third-party application that allows you to customize the dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering. Additionally, you can try resetting the dock by deleting the dock preferences file.

Q: How can I reset the dock by deleting the dock preferences file?

A: To reset the dock by deleting the dock preferences file, follow these steps:

  • Open the Terminal application.
  • Type the following command: rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist
  • Press the Return key to execute the command.
  • Restart your Mac to apply the changes.

Conclusion

We hope that this FAQ article has provided you with the information you need to prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering when you move an icon on the dock. Whether you use the "Dock & Menu Bar" preference pane, the "Dock" preference pane, or a third-party dock utility, you can customize your dock and prevent the "Keep in Dock" feature from triggering.