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Keynote: How to disable applications from opening during a Keynote presentation

Learn how to disable applications from opening during a Keynote presentation.

When delivering a Keynote presentation, you may experience various applications opening unexpectedly. Applications likely to open include Apple Software Update, Exposé, Front Row or any application configured to use a timed launch sequence. To avoid this behavior, disable the ability for any other application to open during a presentation, in Keynote's preferences.

Open Keynote.
Open the Preferences Window (Keynote > Preferences...).
Select the Slideshow tab.
Deselect Allow Exposé, DashBoard and others to use screen as shown in the screenshot below.

Screenshot of Keynote Preferences window, with the Slideshow tab selected, highlighting the 'Allow Exposé, DashBoard and others to use screen' checkbox.

Published Date: June 03, 2026