Another fix for incorrect application associations

Apr 28, '02 10:54:53PM

Contributed by: Anonymous

Several users have had problems with opening applications. Double-clicking the icon, and the wrong application opens. Deleting LSApplications, LSClaimedTypes and LSScheme files from ~/Library/Preferences was often suggested, but not always of help.

The real reason is a corrupted com.apple.LaunchServices.plist file in ~/Library/Preferences. Delete that file and relauch Finder, and all files will be opened with the original default application.

Technically only a small part of com.apple.LauchServices.plist is corrupted. The XML dictionary key "LSBindingPrefsTypeBindings" contains a list of file types and corresponding applications. Somehow there is an entry "A;????.app" containing a link to some application like "com.apple.TextEdit" on my tests. Only that entry is necessary to remove.

It was not easy to reproduce the error. I tried to define a new application called "testapplication.app", but for File -> Show Info didn't contain the "Open with Application" menu command.

I had to create text file (mytextfile.txt) and change its name to mytextfile.app. Then Show Info allowed me to define a new opening application. I chose TextEdit and clicked "Change all" button, and the situation was created. No application could open. Anything I double-clicked, always TextEdit opened. The solution is explained above. Enjoy your Mac OS X user experience again.

[Editor's note: I have not tried this myself, as I have yet to run into this situation.]

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