How do I deactivate a new group?

I am following a tutorial on focus stacking.

Step 1 had me open all images in Photoshop

Step 2 had me create a Stack - Files > Scripts > Load Files into Stack with Align selected.

This created a new "untitled" file and a Load Layers layer. then duplicate the folder with Ctrl+J. This duplicated the new "Load Layers" layer.

Step 3 says "Deactivate the new group, then, Edit > Auto-Blend Layers

Auto-Blend Layers is unavailable (grayed out).

Because I could not find a Deactive Group in any of the PS menus, I hid the new "Load Layers" layer and the "Load Layers copy" layer that was created as a result of creating an image stack and doing a Ctrl +J thinking that this would make Auto-Blend Layers available. It did not.

My problem is that Auto-Blend Layers is unavailable. I assume that is because I could not find a way to Deactivate the new group. The only solution I could think of is that the group that was being talked about is the new file I created when I created the stack. I tried to exit the new file and save it but it would not save because at 75% is was more than 2 GB. So, I deleted it thinking that this would activate the Auto-Blend Layers. It did not. what it did is delete all the layers.

So, I started over. Now I am at the same point I was at where Auto-Blend Layers is unavailable, I have a new "Load Layers" layer and a copy of it.

How do I deactivate group and make Edit > Auto-Blend Layers available.

I look forward to your answer,

Jim