Clearing the Finder "Open With" contextual menu ?

After the install I now have duplicates of all the stuff I used to have in the open with menu.
Like VLC and then under it VLC (version number).
How do I clear it?

As seen here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305627
*Mac OS X: Clearing the Finder "Open With" contextual menu*
Ever wondered how to "clear" the Finder's Open With... contextual menu choices of any extraneous or older applications? (This is the menu that appears when you control-click or "right-click" a document icon.)
If your Open With... menu is filled with too many choices to easily scroll through, you can remove the less-commonly used choices. These steps will clear the list except for the most current applications that can open your document.
From the Finder Go menu, choose Home.
Open the Library folder in the Home window.
Open the Preferences folder.
Find com.apple.LaunchServices.plist.
Rename "com.apple.LaunchServices", such as to "com.apple.LaunchServices.old", or move it to the Trash.
The next time you use the Open With.... contextual menu in the Finder, only current applications will be listed. Some items may return if the application that controls them adds itself back to the list.

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Clean up Finder "Open With" contextual menu in Yosemite

How do I clean up the Finder "Open With" contextual menu in Yosemite? I have several duplicate and obsolete entries in mine. There are several articles out there that show how to do this for previous versions of Mac OS X, but the instructions don't line up with what I see in Yosemite.
Also, the entries I have in the menu are from a version of Windows through a version of VMware Fusion, both of which versions I haven't used in a long while. I did a clean install of Yosemite this morning (on an erased disk) so I'm curious how the menu was populated. Did it somehow get inherited through the iCloud Keychain?
Thanks for any help!

As seen here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305627
*Mac OS X: Clearing the Finder "Open With" contextual menu*
Ever wondered how to "clear" the Finder's Open With... contextual menu choices of any extraneous or older applications? (This is the menu that appears when you control-click or "right-click" a document icon.)
If your Open With... menu is filled with too many choices to easily scroll through, you can remove the less-commonly used choices. These steps will clear the list except for the most current applications that can open your document.
From the Finder Go menu, choose Home.
Open the Library folder in the Home window.
Open the Preferences folder.
Find com.apple.LaunchServices.plist.
Rename "com.apple.LaunchServices", such as to "com.apple.LaunchServices.old", or move it to the Trash.
The next time you use the Open With.... contextual menu in the Finder, only current applications will be listed. Some items may return if the application that controls them adds itself back to the list.

How do we add apps to the 'Open With' contextual menu?

After I updated to Mavericks, all of the apps, except the Apple ones, were blown away (eg. Word and Excel in my VM).
How do I put them back?

'Open With > Other' would not show the apps in my VM. I tried.
I tried something different. I left Word open in my Parallels (Vista) VM and ignored it for a while to see if Maverics would pick it up eventually.
It did.
It seems like that it takes some time for Maverics to find the apps in a VM before we can use it in the 'Open With' menu.

Open with contextual menu

My problem: When i select/highlight "Open with" option in the Finder Contextual Menu, then Finder quits. i.e. the open with menu doesn't even expand- just highlighting/hovering the cursor over it, causes Finder to crash.
This has been happening for quite some time.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks in advance
mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.9) 1.42 GHz, 512 MB RAM

The free Expander shouldn't have installed any contextual menu items. Look in the "Contextual Menu Items" folders in your "Library" folder, and in the one in "Library" at the top level of your disk. If there are any files there, try moving them out, then logout, then login, and see if you still have problems.

When my MBP is hot, the trackpad opens a contextual menu when i click

Hello all,
I have been having an issue with my late 2008 MBP for some time now. When i have been using it for a few hours and it is a bit hot, the trackpad will suddenly interpret single clicks as right click.
You probably think that i accidentaly put several fingers on my trackpad, but it is not so. When this starts happening, the problem remains for one minute or more, during which, for example, i can be careful to just click with a single finger, and wherever i may be (a window bar, for instance), boom, a contextual menu opens. This is rather annoying when i'm working without a mouse, because if i want to grab an item to move it, well, it's just not possible. It returns to the normal behaviour after a while.
It seems to occur more frequently when i am using inDesign CS4, but that is probably just because i use it a lot...
I use tap for click, but not the secondary tap, i couldn't quite get used to that one.
Any advice or solution? Thanks!

You have posted in the wrong forum. Try posting in the forum for the product you are trying to use.
Here is a link to a page that has links to all Adobe forums... use the drop down list to see all.
Forum links page:
https://forums.adobe.com/welcome

How Do I Edit My 'Open With' Contextual Menu?

When I right click on an image file and select Open With I get a long list of options. Many of them are .exe files and look like actions (Make GIF 64 colors.exe for example).
How can I edit this list? Some information I found mentioned editing the info.plist file in Photoshop, so I'm sure it's a PS issue.
Thanks
Nicholas
[Photoshop CS4 Extended - Master Collection, MacBook Pro, OS X (10.6.1), Ikea Desk, Takamine Acoustic ]

Exactly - that's what I thought. Most of those seemed to have disappeared since I nervously uninstalled CS2 (I upgraded from 2 to 4), although I've heard that things can creep back as you use the apps again. I also renamed the plist file.
However it would be nice to be able to edit what appears there. I'll give that link a shot - thanks for that.

Duplicate apps in "Open With" contextual menu

I've noticed this several times in the past and I just ignored it and eventually it went away. But now it's bugging me. When I right-click on a media file, Boxee shows up multiple times. Is there any way to rebuild the menus?
Here's a screenshot if I wasn't clear enough.
!http://dl.dropbox.com/u/312416/menu-dupe.png!
Thanks,
Daren

It sounds like LaunchServices. These are only cache files but can get corrupted.
Launch /Utilities/Terminal and copy & paste this at the command line to rebuild LaunchServices:
Code:
<pre class="alt2" style="margin:0px; padding:3px; border:1px inset; width:640px; height:34px; overflow:auto">/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchSe rvices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user</pre>
Then press return. Wait until terminal returns to the command line. Quit Terminal. After that, log out and back in or restart. Let us know
-mj

TA24770 Clear Finder "Open With" menu with VMware Fusion 5

Hi.
I had same problem of duplicate Apps showing on Finder "Open With" contextual menu.
After following instructions on this link http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24770?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US all Mac applications where OK, but could not see VMware Fusion Virtual Machine applications in Finder contextual menu.
So follow these steps:
Shut down virtual machine.
Open virtual machine settings.
Go to Default Applications.
Click "Restore Applications".
Start virtual machine.
This should reset contextual menu in Finder with the VMware Fusion 5 applications.
Mac OS X 10.8.3
VMware Fusion 5.0.3

Great, post tip, thanks!

Weird Finder 'Open With' menu problem

I have a new Lion MBP -- I did not use the migration asssistant from my old MBP instead I installed apps manually - now the weird thing is that the Finder 'Open with' context based menu includes apps that were installed on my old MBP that are not (and have never been) installed on the new computer!!
How did that happen... anyone have any ideas and how I can get rid of these 'ghost' entries.
Thanks
Rich

Simon,
Resetting Launch Services, by Dr. Smoke should be helpful.
;~)

Edit Finder Open With Menu

I just went to open an image from the Finder and noticed the Open With Context Menu was loaded with duplicate entries of the various applications that can open an image. Is there a way to edit this so only the current version of each application shows instead of every version installed via updates?
An example is Opera. There are 3 versions listed in the Open With Context Menu when I right click on a .swf file.

rebuild your launch services database.
run the following terminal command
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

How change the File Open With list of apps?

In Bridge CS3, how does one edit the list of applications in the File > Open With menu (also available from the contextual menu for any image).
The list contains a number of applications that I would never use to open an image, and I would like to add to it, a new image editor (pixelmator) that does not appear in it. I have looked in the Bridge Help and the Preferences dialog and don't see any option to do this.

OK, I have now learned that Mac OS keeps the list of which apps to open what, in the "launch services database."
This database can be cleaned up and reset which somewhat simplifies the list that is displayed by the Finder OR by Bridge CS3.
Here is an article on how to reset the launchdb:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20031215144430486
Be sure to read all the way to the end as there are updated instructions down among the comments.
Here is a thread in the Apple Support forums discussing the same issue, and it includes links to some 3rd-party programs that can reset launch services without use of a lengthy Terminal command:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1289317
Even after rebuilding the launchdb, I find that a large number of apps are "registered" to open JPG files, including Camino, Opera, TextWrangler and others with only a tenuous connection to JPG. I don't understand why this is, and I would still like to find a way to limit the JPG Open-With list to a few graphics programs. But cleaning up the launchdb as described in the linked pages, did get rid of some programs and added some missing ones.
Hope this actually constructive info is useful to others.
Dave Cortesi

Finder Open With Lists Some Applications Twice

My finder>open with menu lists some applications twice.
A minor annoyance I'd like to fix.
Example: If I choose a JPG file and go to "open with" the following programs are listed twice: Firefox, QuickTime, RealPlayer & Safari. Some other programs are listed once.
There are NOT two versions of these programs on my computer, but there is the System folder from my old Mac.
Is there a way to fix this little problem?
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8) 17 inch

The mac finder will pick up applications anywhere on your hard drive when you do the "open with".
If you aren't using your old System Folder you could create a .zip archive of it and remove the original Folder.
I'd be open to hearing other approaches, but this will work.

Cannot create new folders on desktop. Cannot drag new items onto desktop. Desktop in Finder opens with Terminal. Not sure if this has anything to do with upgrading to Mavericks but I need help if anyone has ideas. Thank you.

I can no longer create new folders on my desktop. The option to do that is now light gray on the drop down menu and can't be selected.
I cannot drag new items onto desktop any longer either.
The Desktop in Finder opens with Terminal.
Folders and items on Desktop open and work normally.
Not sure if this has anything to do with upgrading to Mavericks but I need help if anyone has ideas.
Thank you.

Take these steps if the cursor changes from an arrow to a white "prohibited" symbol when you try to move an icon on the Desktop.
Sometimes the problem may be solved just by logging out or rebooting. Try that first, if you haven't already done it. Otherwise, continue.
Select the icon of your home folder (a house) in the sidebar of a Finder window and open it. The Desktop folder is one of the subfolders. Select it and open the Info window. In the General section of the window, the Kind will be either Folder or something else, such as Anything.
If the Kind is Folder, uncheck the box marked Locked. Close the Info window and test.
If the Kind is not Folder, make sure the Locked box is not checked and that you have Read & Write privileges in the Sharing & Permissions section. Then close the Info window and do as follows.
Back up all data.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:
xattr -d com.apple.FinderInfo Desktop
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You should get a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”). Quit Terminal.
Relaunch the Finder.
If the problem is now resolved, and if you use iPhoto, continue.
Quit iPhoto if it's running. Launch it while holding down the option key. It will prompt you to select a library. Choose the one you want to use (not the Desktop folder.)

Get Info "Change All" button doesn't keep the proper "Open With" app

I have a small but annoying problem that appears in Leopard 10.5.2 (been there since original 10.5.0 install) that I have tried to troubleshoot but can't solve.
The problem is:
-With some of my file types, the wrong "Open With" application is displayed when I view a Get Info for that file type. So to fix this, I open a Get Info window on one of those types of files, and choose the PROPER default application in the "Open With" slot. This works, and then the new proper application name now shows in that slot. So then I click the "Change All" button and apply to all files of that file type. I receive the warning that I will be changing ALL files of that type. I choose "continue" because that is what I desire.
However, once I do that, (click Change All, then Continue button), the old, wrong application name jumps back the Open With slot! So the new, correct application choice doesn't "stick".
Oddly enough, it sort of DOES work, because if I then re-click in the Open With slot, although the old, the wrong application is back listed again, if I look up above that name, then my actual desired application is listed in a list, and it has the word (Default) beside it.
So if I do actually now double click any file of that type, then the proper application DOES launch and open the file.
But why does the Get Info window still display the wrong, non-default application in Open With? And furthermore, this causes all file types of that kind, to display the WRONG icon in any Finder window. They of course display, the icon of what is in the Open With slot list.
I am having this problem only with two file types and apps. (Cubase and Pro Tools---DAW audio apps). All of my Cubase files display a Pro Tools icon, and show as Open With: "Pro Tools" when of course it should display Open With: Cubase. As stated in the Open With list, Cubase is indeed there among other programs and it has the word (Default) beside it. So it sort of works when launching files. But I still cannot get Cubase to "stick" and stay in Open With after Change All!
Can anyone offer any tips on what might cause this and what fix is needed?
Thanks so much in advance!
Wade

Well, I tried rebuilding the Launch services with the command listed but still no luck. After having no luck with that and deleting caches, etc....I also, went to my home (user) directory and in Preferences, I deleted the com.apple.launchservices.plist file. I restarted and checked and still the same result.
Also, I want to emphasize again that the file type I am discussing DOES actually launch with the correct application. (Cubase files in my example).
But it is just annoying that ALL of my Cubase files display the Pro Tools application icon, and in Get Info they are listed to open with Pro Tools. But they actually do launch Cubase if double clicked.
And one other VITAL note....if I open Get Info for one of these files, and change the Open With from Pro Tools to Cubase....then that choice DOES "stick" and retain. (if I "don't" also click Change All)
It's only when I click "Change All" that it DOESN'T stick and the list selection jumps back to Pro Tools. I hope that may offer some clarity.
Thanks for the tips but I am still back at square one.
Wade

Finder Open With ...

I have Parallels installed and an XP VM. Parallels has decided that all .sql files should be opened with an MS application and starts the XP VM. If I explicitly change the Open With app in the More Info window it sticks but if I select the Change All option the default reverts back to the Parallels Open With. I have Default Apps in System Preferences and it indicates that my selection should be the default app for .sql files but when I create a new .sql file the Parallels default app is assigned. Is there and exit that Parallels might be using to override the Finder/Open default? Where would such an exit be identified to the system?

Right click one of these files and select Get Info.
In the Get Info window, find the Open With dropdown box and browse to the app you want to be the system default. Then, click the button just below that box that says Change All...
If that does not do it, then VM/XP is taking over the system.

Clearing the Finder "Open With" contextual menu ?

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