Why does Open With show so many duplicate applications when I don't have them?

Doju · 02:53 PM

Looking at my Applications folder, I have no duplicate applications, yet when I right click files the Open With dialog often has a massive list of applications full of duplicates.

Why is this?

(OS X 10.8.2)

satcomer · Oct 14, 2012, 01:25 AM

A cache file has been corrupted. You can reset the cache file with a simple /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app and at the first Terminal prompt put in the Terminal code (after you quit all Applications):

Code:

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

After you let the Terminal program run and know it reset the cache you will know it is finished when you get another Terminal prompt. Then you can close Terminal and the right click for applications will work correctly again. Good Luck.

old-wiz · Nov 13, 2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satcomer

A cache file has been corrupted. You can reset the cache file with a simple /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app and at the first Terminal prompt put in the Terminal code (after you quit all Applications):

Code:

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

After you let the Terminal program run and know it reset the cache you will know it is finished when you get another Terminal prompt. Then you can close Terminal and the right click for applications will work correctly again. Good Luck.

Thanks! This works fine.

old-wiz · Dec 10, 2012, 04:55 PM

Interestingly enough, while the cache file can be reset successfully, it becomes corrupt again after days or weeks of usage. Even more strange, it only becomes corrupt again on a 13" MBP running 10.8.2 but not on a 24" iMac running the same software.

wrldwzrd89 · Dec 10, 2012, 05:37 PM

The Terminal fix worked for me on a 27" 2011 iMac. It's worth noting that even the Finder must be relaunched for the change to take full effect - you really DO have to quit everything.

old-wiz · Dec 11, 2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrldwzrd89

The Terminal fix worked for me on a 27" 2011 iMac. It's worth noting that even the Finder must be relaunched for the change to take full effect - you really DO have to quit everything.

I rebooted after doing the terminal fix...problem keeps coming back after a day or so.

Oct 13, 2012, 02:50 PM	#1
Doju macrumors 65832 Join Date: Jun 2008	Why does Open With show so many duplicate applications when I don't have them? Looking at my Applications folder, I have no duplicate applications, yet when I right click files the Open With dialog often has a massive list of applications full of duplicates. Why is this? (OS X 10.8.2) __________________ MacBook Pro 13", 2.53 GHz, 4GB RAM -- 24" Cinema Display -- 16GB iPhone 4 -- 500GB Time Capsule -- 2.26GHz Mac mini - 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Last edited by SandboxGeneral; Oct 13, 2012 at 02:53 PM. Reason: IMG tags
	0

Oct 14, 2012, 01:25 AM	#2
satcomer macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia	A cache file has been corrupted. You can reset the cache file with a simple /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app and at the first Terminal prompt put in the Terminal code (after you quit all Applications): Code: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user After you let the Terminal program run and know it reset the cache you will know it is finished when you get another Terminal prompt. Then you can close Terminal and the right click for applications will work correctly again. Good Luck. __________________ Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo 2.16Ghz, SuperDrive, 2G RAM, OS X 10.7.4 Mac Pro Dual 2.8 Quad(Rev B.), 14 G RAM, OS X 10.8.2, 23'' LCD iPad 3G, 32 black
	2

Dec 10, 2012, 05:37 PM	#5
wrldwzrd89 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Solon, OH	The Terminal fix worked for me on a 27" 2011 iMac. It's worth noting that even the Finder must be relaunched for the change to take full effect - you really DO have to quit everything. __________________ iMac Intel (Rev H, 27"), 1TB HDD, 16GB RAM, Ubuntu
	0

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Dec 10, 2012, 04:55 PM	#4
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	Interestingly enough, while the cache file can be reset successfully, it becomes corrupt again after days or weeks of usage. Even more strange, it only becomes corrupt again on a 13" MBP running 10.8.2 but not on a 24" iMac running the same software.
	0


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