Default applications for filetypes

[Dal123]

I changed .pdf's to open with acrobat professional. Only printing is poor from acrobat so easier to print from preview.
I performed normal steps,
'ctrl click document' > 'open with' > 'other' > 'select application' then always 'open with'.
So that should be it, but it's not working. Each time I go to open another .pdf it opens with acrobat .

 

[GGJstudios]

Select the file
Right-click and "Get Info" (or Command-i)
Select the preferred app under "Open with"
Click "Change All"

 

[Dal123]

Thanks; still hasn't worked .

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks; still hasn't worked .

Right-click on another .pdf file and Get Info. Is the correct app listed under "Open with"? If so, try restarting your system. If not, repeat the steps. If that still doesn't work, try repairing permissions, then repeat the steps.

 

[Dal123]

Thanks; when selecting Get Info, it's only working on that individual file. I've got thousands of .pdf's that I want to open with preview - not acrobat as printing is so poor from acrobat and prefer intuitiveness of preview.

Ok so I repaired permissions and restarted and tried everything again. Still .pdf's are opening in default application (acrobat). How do I change the actual default application. It used to be these steps in previous operating systems, but obviously in Lion it has changed. Does anyone know where default app's are chosen?

Bit worried about this; this used to be easy to fix in previous os's.

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks; when selecting Get Info, it's only working on that individual file.

That's why you click "Change All" after selecting the default application. That changes the default app for all files of that type.

It used to be these steps in previous operating systems, but obviously in Lion it has changed.

It works exactly the same way in Lion as in previous versions of Mac OS X. Be sure you click "Change All" after selecting the default application.

 

[Partron22]

Does anyone know where default app's are chosen?

See this thread: Where does OSX store file type information and associations?

 

[GGJstudios]

See this thread: Where does OSX store file type information and associations?

That is not where default apps are chosen. They're chosen using the method I posted.

 

[Partron22]

That is not where default apps are chosen. They're chosen using the method I posted.

Yes, the database is where the choices are kept. If the choices don't stick, the database is likely where the problem lies.

 

[GGJstudios]

Yes, the database is where the choices are kept. If the choices don't stick, the database is likely where the problem lies.

They didn't ask where they're stored. They asked where they're chosen. If the choices don't stick, repairing permissions is a better approach than having someone play around with the launch services database files.

 

[Partron22]

is a better approach...

I am pleased to learn that you think so. However, the Launch Services Database does get buggered up upon occasion. If that's the case here, no amount of repetition of your 'better approach' will fix the problem.
Sometimes fixing something requires a screwdriver, sometimes a bandsaw.
It doesn't help the person with the problem if you fail to mention that a bandsaw might be needed.

 

[Dal123]

Thanks, always select 'always open with' so the problem is further down the line.
Looked at link, cannot see how to launch apple services. It looks like applescript to me. Cannot find any tutorials.
Suprised this is happening. Brand new mac, three weeks old.

 

[calderone]

They didn't ask where they're stored. They asked where they're chosen. If the choices don't stick, repairing permissions is a better approach than having someone play around with the launch services database files.

Defaults apps are generally registered with LaunchServices. That is how they initially get configured outside of Apple's defaults. That is where they are initially "chosen." Beyond that, the user can as pointed, change them.

Repair permissions?

They didn't ask where they're stored. They asked where they're chosen. If the choices don't stick, repairing permissions is a better approach than having someone play around with the launch services database files.

Haha again, Repair permissions? Christ. That would not fix a damn thing.

OP, since you said it a few weeks old you probably won't lose much by resetting launch services. I would recommend using a tool instead of futzing around in terminal.

http://jimmitchell.org/yasu/

http://www.maintain.se/cocktail

Both of those apps can help you do this.

 

[Dal123]

Thanks for them recommendations. I'm a little dubious about buying an app just for sorting out this small problem.
Unless the app is really useful. Would you really say it is worth the money. If not what do I need to type in terminal to sort this out. I've just started learning a little terminal and am keen to learn unless it is crazy hard?

 

[calderone]

Pretty sure you can use both without paying.

 

[Dal123]

Thanks Calderone; I used cocktail to rebuild launch database.
Nice one.