File Associations Keep Changing

I have a problem where some of my file association keep changing the default program, whenever they feel like it. This is mainly happening with PDF and JPEG files opening in Adobe Software, when the default is set to Preview and always has been.

1. I have not updated any software recently nor I did change these associations to begin with

2. I have changed these via Get Info and checked "Always Open With"

3. I have changed these via OPT + RIGHT CLICK "Always Open With"

I am on OS X 10.11.6

27-Inch iMac Late 2012

Posted on Nov 1, 2017 5:52 PM

Top-ranking reply

menlo

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Mar 18, 2018 7:55 PM

A great discussion on this very issue in Mac Rumors. The consensus is that Firefox Quantum is causing the issues. Somehow they are making API calls to the OS and it is messing up the file associations. Not sure how to stop this. Firefox is a great alternative to Safari. You can set up a lot of the Mozilla addons used for Firefox in Google Chrome, too.

Resolved - something keeps changing my "open with" defaults | MacRumors Forums

Some good news about a workaround I've been trying and it seems to be holding.

Courtesy of https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1437281#c23

"For a workaround, browsing to about:config and setting "security.sandbox.content.level" to 2 (instead of the current default value of 3) and then restarting your browser may work. This makes the security sandbox more permissive, but doesn't completely disable it."

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101 replies

Nov 16, 2017 6:07 AM in response to brenden dv

I tried all of these - and have no other users on my mac - but the issue keep re-occuring. Almost any file type is trying to open inside of Adobe Illustrator (docX, txt, jpeg, png, pdf) which I've NEVER associated them with the program. Is there anything else I can do?

I also ran ETREcheck (found nothing) and did a repair on the drive (nothing changed).

Leolio_

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2018 5:50 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

I still have the issue too. It's way better than before, only "preview" files like PDF / JPGS lose file association, but it still happens. Everyday I have to manually fix it once. I'll tell you if I find a solution. :-)

83sjs8j

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2018 4:37 PM in response to Leolio_

I'm having the same issue here. Apple support is worthless and I have had absolutely no help at all with "community specialists" or whatever they're called around here. It's especially problematic with image files.

Feb 1, 2018 5:29 PM in response to 83sjs8j

I have been working with apple to solve this problem. I'm currently in the midst of trying to see if it happens on other user accounts. I did not have any other users on my system but have created one and am going to test it out as soon as possible.... I doubt it will change, but I will gladly let you know the outcome!

83sjs8j

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2018 7:32 PM in response to FormerTeenIdol

Awesome! I'll update if I find anything as well. I'm basically a toddler when it comes to figuring out how to bend Macs to my will, but will keep my eyes open. I know for a fact we're not the only ones with this issue.

Feb 7, 2018 5:10 AM in response to Yorkie29

Just checking with everyone here --- are we all using Adobe Products?

I'm in the middle of a few projects, so I haven't been able to switch over user and see if the change happens once I'm logged on my machine as a separate user.

But I'm wondering if this is an Apple / Adobe bug.

Let me know, as soon as I can I am going to contact Apple again and try to get them to take notice that there are others with the issue and make sure they know everything we can possibly provide for them.

Leolio_

Level 1

4 points

Feb 8, 2018 1:41 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

I don't have anything Adobe installed other than maybe Flash plugin. To me, it's Firefox Quantum, but I'm not 100% sure. PDFs will open with Pixelmator or the crappy image collection app instead of preview.

Feb 8, 2018 3:33 AM in response to Yorkie29

I doubt it had anything to do with Firefox. I use it as my default browser on all my Macs and I've never had a Launch Services issue. I hope it stays fixed for you. It should.

Although, if you run anti-virus or cleaning apps there's a chance it could happen again. They cause many problems.

Feb 8, 2018 4:09 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

I rarely use Safari but as far as Firefox, it drops the extension for whatever reason when you drag an image. I just right/control click on an image and choose "Save image as…". Then it retains the extension. No idea why they're different.

I forgot "click" lol

Feb 8, 2018 5:24 AM in response to CountryGirl56

Not yet. My main system, which this is effecting is pretty much in constant use based on the work-load that I have at the moment and I haven't had a second to try it. My plan is to try it this evening.

Feb 8, 2018 8:45 AM in response to CountryGirl56

No, still happening even after using Onyx. I have .rtf files set to be opened by Nisus Writer Pro, which created them, but just now one of them opened with TextEdit. I rebooted the Finder and it opened correctly. This is getting annoying.

phxgmac

Level 1

4 points

Feb 8, 2018 9:24 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

My file association happens randomly and it has been with several different files/programs.

However I noticed something in particular with Photoshop files. Originally Photoshop files kept opening in AutoDesk Sketchbook. Since I rarely use that program, I decided to remove it. After I removed it, Photoshop files would then open in Illustrator (not right away, just whenever the file association thing gets messed up). So removing Sketchbook didn't fix the issue with Photoshop files; the file association just changed the program it would assign.

The thing I noticed with Photoshop files, is even after removing Sketchbook, the icon that appears next to the file name in the "Get Info" window is still a Sketchbook "Tiff" icon. The icon in the top part of the window is the correct PSD icon as well as the icon shown in "Open with". Here's a screen shot:

Feb 10, 2018 3:15 AM in response to CountryGirl56

Certainly OK for a temporary fix to "save as" instead, but a complete pain in the **** to have to do so. Would love to know what Firefox is doing to the OS to make this file association change happen and if there is a way to prevent it.

Feb 10, 2018 3:26 AM in response to CountryGirl56

I just tried it again with FireFox and after dragging out an image (JPG) the extension showed. I didn't open it, but opening a JPG from a folder that had also had its association changed to be opened with FireFox, so I had to use Get Info to 'change all' back to Graphic Converter. it's one thing it claiming ownership of an image from FireFox, but it's really peculiar that it then re-writes everything else.

Feb 10, 2018 3:40 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

I forgot to test Mavericks. Which version of Firefox are you running?

As far as the extension, it seems to depend on the website. Plus, I was just doing a Google search and dragging an image from the results. However, if I click on view image first, then it retains the extension. This internet stuff is tricky. 😎

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File Associations Keep Changing