Finder - Cannot double click items to open

Question

Level 1

0 points

Finder - Cannot double click items to open

Since I upgraded to Snow Leopard, intermittently I have been unable to double click some items to open them in their default programs. I can go into the program and open them via File - Open.

If I double click an item with it's default program open, nothing happens. If I double click an item and the program is not open, the program bounces in the dock and does not open.

Same for .dmg files. If I download them, I can only open them using Disk Utility.

These problems are not present when I boot up. They only happen at some point later. A restart fixes the problem.

Anyone else experiencing this?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 14, 2009 4:30 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 16, 2009 1:43 PM in response to marminio

Yes, I am seeing the exact same symptoms. I'm not sure, but I think it may have to do with word (and preview) files that have been emailed to me, which is doubly strange.

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 18, 2009 9:45 AM in response to marminio

I am having same problem with some Word files, but only some. Some of them will open with double click in finder window, but others won't. Happens when Word is running and when it is not (when double click on problem file, Word opens, but in new document). The only way to open is to go to Open in file menu and then locate the file through the many nests of folders and sub-folders. Not sure if this was 10.6 or 10.6.1, since I did both very close in time.

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 23, 2009 3:21 PM in response to John Mcdonnell

I see the same problem with some Word files working with double click and some not. I can open all of them from Word itself.

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 27, 2009 7:13 PM in response to marminio

I am also experiencing this, I thought i was the only one! lol - I have tried a clean install, repairing permissions etc, nothing fixes it EXCEPT a reboot. I notice it mainly with DMG, PDFS and ZIP/archive files.. the first poster describes the symptom perfectly. Seems really bizarre.

Has anyone found out whats causing this yet? I thought 10.6.1 would fix it, but sadly it did not...

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 30, 2009 9:54 AM in response to marminio

I am having the same issue with my machine, and 3 other iMac machines. All updated to 10.6.1. At first I thought it was just attachments in e-mails not opening correctly... Then I discovered that double-clicking, or right (option) clicking and choosing open, or open with, did not do anything. If the default program for that file is open, it will take you to the program but will not open anything. I have found this to be a problem with .pdf, .doc, .docx, .jpg files. I tried deleting the finder preference file, which has done nothing. No solutions as of yet.

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 30, 2009 6:25 PM in response to marminio

I have the same problem with newly created Word docs made since I installed Snow Leopard. I have to open these new ones through word > file > open, only. Word docs made prior, and those made prior and modified, open fine with double-clicking.

Reply

Answer 7

Sep 30, 2009 6:26 PM in response to DanNYC123

Does anyone at Mac monitor this forum to see the problem?

Reply

Answer 8

Oct 23, 2009 1:07 AM in response to marminio

Has anyone found a solution to this or heard from Apple about this? It's driving me crazy.

Reply

Answer 9

Oct 23, 2009 2:21 PM in response to JustinBrasdf

I've got the same issue. Word files are the biggest problem, but also noticing it with a few others. The files which won't open with a double click also won't open when I drag and drop them onto the appropriate dock icon.

How can such a basic feature of the Finder not work well for so many people? I bought a brand spankin' new MacBook Pro two weeks ago and since it had a SL CD in it, I figured I'd go ahead with the upgrade, even though I'm usually a late adopter. Seriously considering a downgrade until they get it right.

Reply

Answer 10

Oct 28, 2009 3:10 PM in response to marminio

I too have this problem. Double-clicking on some files or icons to open - such as my hard drive or an email - does nothing. I can launch Firefox and Word by double clicking, but as someone else wrote, can't open individual word files by just double-clicking on them in my hard drive.

By the way, for me, restarting doesn't help.

Please - can someone from Apple help us? This really seems to be a problem!

Reply

Answer 11

Nov 5, 2009 3:17 PM in response to thurber27

Typical slow response from our beloved Apple. Why can't computer people answer or return calls? They just want to fix it and send an e-mail saying "it's fixed"...reminds me of theold SNL bit..."move over!"

BTW it does it with InDesign, too.

Reply

Answer 12

RAM

Level 2

198 points

Nov 7, 2009 8:03 AM in response to marminio

Just wanted to add myself to the list. In my case, it happens with iTunes and Address Book (when importing a .vcf). Exact same problem. Has anyone fixed it yet?

Reply

Answer 13

Jmazzter

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2009 7:29 PM in response to RAM

Hey guys! I want to let you know I was having this problem to.

However the solution for me was much simpler than I expected. It turns out all I needed to do was slow down my double click speed in System Preferences under the "Mouse"option. In my case I put it to the slowest option possible and it appears to be working just fine. Hope this helps others with this problem.

Reply

Answer 14

Nov 7, 2009 7:51 PM in response to Jmazzter

Slowing down the double click speed doesn't seem to solve it as the same problem occurs even when you select the file in the Finder and use Cmd-O to open it. MSWord simply doesn't open the file.

Reply

Answer 15

Nov 7, 2009 8:10 PM in response to DanNYC123

No, Apple does not monitor this forum.
This is a peer to peer forum.
Have any of you folks tried to create a new user account to see if this will improve your situation?
Someone try this.

Reply