duplicate "Open With" options - how to get rid of them?

Question

Level 1

9 points

duplicate "Open With" options - how to get rid of them?

For some reason, when I control-click a file, I get duplicate "open with" options; 3 instances of VLC player, for example.

I have a couple of external HDD's connected to my MBP which have clones on them (of the internal HDD) - I suppose that could be something to do with it....

I've ensured that in the spotlight privacy tab, the clone's are not being searched....

Any ideas why this is happening or (more importantly) how to fix it?

Thanks in advance!

MBP 2.33Ghz C2D 2GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 1, 2008 11:05 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Calum

Level 2

264 points

Jun 1, 2008 11:31 AM in response to Leo The Lion

The Open With menu is controlled by the launch services database, which you can rebuild using a tool like Tiger/Leopard Cache Cleaner, or the command line explained here: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20031215144430486

However, if you do have drives with multiple copies of the same app attached, OS X probably thinks it's doing the right thing by offering you the choice of all three, and I'm not sure you can do much about it.

Reply

Answer 2

Leo The Lion Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 1, 2008 12:45 PM in response to Calum

downloaded leopard cache cleaner but there are a lot of different options! what do i need to select to clean the cache that stores the "open with" data?

thanks

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 1, 2008 2:18 PM in response to Leo The Lion

Use Onyx, Maintenance tab > Reset tab select option to Rebuild the Launchservices database.

Reply

Answer 4

Leo The Lion Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 1, 2008 2:31 PM in response to Leo The Lion

The issue has mainly been resolved now but there's a little quirk or two...

If you don't mind, check out the following thread (near the end):

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1524208&tstart=0

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 5

Leo The Lion Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 1, 2008 2:38 PM in response to Leo The Lion

Sorted via another thread but great help here too - thanks!

Reply