I have some files that have an association I want to remove. I also don't have an alternative association which would be easier. Anyway to remove the associations with a file type?
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remove file association on leopard
- Thread starter whitehexagon
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So if you don't have an alternate application you want to use with those files, how will you open them? What would be the purpose of eliminating a file association without replacing it with another? To change them is simple: Get Info on a file of that type and change the "Open with" to whatever application you choose.
I have quite some binary data files kicking around that are associated with all kinds of weird and incorrect applications, I can't really open these files, or associate them with another application, so I just want to remove the current faulty associations.
"Launch Manager" holds the key
"Launch Manager" is responsible for opening files based on associations. Launch Manager settings are held in ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.plist. Some associations are cached in /Library/Caches/com.apple.LaunchServices*.csstore (the exact name varies with OS version). To remove the offending association:
It's possible there's another location where file associations are stored, but I don't know where it is if it exists.
"Launch Manager" is responsible for opening files based on associations. Launch Manager settings are held in ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.plist. Some associations are cached in /Library/Caches/com.apple.LaunchServices*.csstore (the exact name varies with OS version). To remove the offending association:
- rename/move the cache(s) (you could delete, but a rename/move is safer)
- restart
- open the LaunchServices preferences in the Property List Editor
- search for and remove the association for the binary files.
It's possible there's another location where file associations are stored, but I don't know where it is if it exists.
Have a look at RCDefaultApp (http://www.rubicode.com/Software/RCDefaultApp/).
This is a 3rd party prefPane that allows you to manage easily file associations.
With this prefPane, you can remove an existing file association if you want.
This is a 3rd party prefPane that allows you to manage easily file associations.
With this prefPane, you can remove an existing file association if you want.
RCPrefPane is the better solution
I had to leave before finishing my post about editing com.apple.LaunchServices.plist (in particular, notes about Property List Editor being in the Development tools on the OSX DVDs). As RCPrefPane includes a "<disable>" option for file extension associations, it's much better than my mucking about with plists.
I had to leave before finishing my post about editing com.apple.LaunchServices.plist (in particular, notes about Property List Editor being in the Development tools on the OSX DVDs). As RCPrefPane includes a "<disable>" option for file extension associations, it's much better than my mucking about with plists.
thanks for the pointer to RCDefaultApp - I'm a bit confused as to how to remove associations done through the Info pane in the Finder.
I don't see anything to "revoke" the application - if I click "Other..." - it asks me to point it to another application.
not urgent, just thought I'd clean up an association that didn't work out as I expected...
I don't see anything to "revoke" the application - if I click "Other..." - it asks me to point it to another application.
not urgent, just thought I'd clean up an association that didn't work out as I expected...