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

Feb 10, 2018 4:42 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

There is one other option. You could try Firefox 52.0esr and see if that works.

Firefox — Notes (52.0esr) — Mozilla

madi103

Level 1

8 points

Feb 10, 2018 4:53 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

Mee to

Feb 10, 2018 5:43 AM in response to CountryGirl56

I just deleted Firefox, updated my OS (now on 10.13.3, was on 10.13.2) and I'm about to repair the launch services. Will update after seeing whether or not the problem occurs again!

Feb 10, 2018 5:45 AM in response to CountryGirl56

I have updated since I originally wrote this, multiple times, and I'm now on 10.13.3, but had be using 10.13 since apple told me I needed to upgrade when I originally discussed this with them.

Feb 10, 2018 5:46 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

Your original post said you were running 10.11.6. when did you start running 10.13.2???

Most all the replies were based on you running 10.11.6. 😠

Feb 10, 2018 6:19 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

Need to see the entire report. Obviously something is wrong so your assumption there are no issues is questionable.

Feb 13, 2018 3:35 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

It's unlikely it's a Firefox issue. I have Firefox running on 5 Macs running 10.13.3 or better and have never had a file association problem.

Feb 13, 2018 3:42 AM in response to mikeytttt

Yes, I think we covered the OS X 10.9 and 10.10 problem.

Feb 13, 2018 3:51 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

It would be nice to know what exactly you are doing but at least you have your problem solved.

Feb 13, 2018 4:10 AM in response to CountryGirl56

In my case however, dragging a jpeg from Firefox to the desktop will affect ALL types of files that are I have set to open with Photoshop, including PSD documents.

Yorkie29

Level 1

7 points

Feb 13, 2018 4:12 AM in response to CountryGirl56

I have never dragged a file from Firefox and experienced the problem opening saved pdf/png files, so the dragging may be a cause but not the only one.

Feb 13, 2018 6:32 AM in response to CountryGirl56

Thanks so much for all of your help though!

Hope everyone can resolve this. Been a Firefox user for years.

Feb 13, 2018 6:35 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

I still am going to use Firefox. I just won't download anything with it. 😎

Feb 20, 2018 8:05 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

I also have this problem. High Sierra with Firefox Quantum installed.

JPG files open in Preview. Want to open in Photoshop by default. Photoshop not listed in Get Info..have to choose Other.

Feb 20, 2018 8:22 AM in response to FormerTeenIdol

Same here - I've not deleted FireFox but haven't opened it for several days and haven't had any peculiarities since moving (reluctantly) to Chrome.

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File Associations Keep Changing