Double clicking doesn't open files or folders

Hi, hope you can help. I can only open messages and folders from within an application and can't find a way to simply double click to open as previous. Thanks! Marg.
Imac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi Mac3@Macedon!
Open System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Mouse.
Adjust the slider bar for Double-Click Speed, to the left of where it is currently positioned.
Try the double-click again. If it still does not work for you, keep moving the bar to the left until you find a position that is suitable.
Good Luck!
ali b

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Preview: double-click doesn't open files AFTER they have been modified

Since a few weeks (maybe since I upgraded to OS 10.6.6 ?) Preview doesn't open files any more by double-clicking AFTER I have modified and saved them. They open when I drag them to the dock icon of Preview.
For instance, photos downloaded from a camera open by double-clicking them. However, if I rotate or crop them and then save, Preview doesn't open them any more but shows two subsequent error messages: (1) "The application can't be found", (2) "The operation can't be completed. An unexpected error occurred (error code -43)".
I found one workaround: when you close and reopen the folder in which these files are, they open again by double-clicking.
Quicklook works fine.
Looks like a bug in OS 10.6.6. Any other fixes?

In the Finder, select one of the image files you want to open with Preview. Choose "Get Info" from the contextual menu or the File menu. In the "Open with" section, choose Preview from the pulldown menu if it's not already selected. If it is selected, choose another application (any other), then re-select Preview. Click the "Change All" button and close the dialog.

Double-clicking doesn't open files or programs

I just got a new macbook. I've updated the software and everything seems to be working fine, but I can't open anything by double-clicking on it. When I double-click a folder, it becomes highlighted, but nothing happens. When I double-click a file (any extension), it highlights the name as if I were trying to rename it. When I double click an application, nothing happens. To open anything, I have to right-click and select "open."
I can't figure out how to reset whatever this is. Any suggestions? Thanks.

The problem is the same with an external mouse, as well
Are you an experienced computer user, or just using a computer for the first time? I mean you've successfully double-clicked on another computer before : )
I'd keep testing with the mouse for now to keep possible trackpad issues out of the picture.
Look in Apple Menu/System Preferences/Keyboard and Mouse and try adjusting some of those settings. Do you have left button and right button reversed? Does changing the double-click speed help? Are you using a Mighty Mouse and clicking in the middle, not over on the left as you should?
Have you installed any RAM yourself -- try going back to the factory RAM and making sure it's fully seated. You've actually shut down and restarted the computer (not just put it to sleep)? Is the computer really hot -- try turning off, letting cool a half hour, turning back on and see if it works at first.
If all else fails, you can try wiping the hard drive and reinstalling the entire system. If that's too complicated for you, or doesn't work, bring the computer in for an exchange (first 14 days) or warranty repairs.

Double clicking won't open files

Since installing new Snow Leopard update I am unable to open icons by double clicking. I have to right click and then choose open. Same problem when trying to open bookmark links in Safari. Thanks

This FAQ relates to Photoshop 7 through CS4, so it may be worth checking wheter it applies to CS5 for this very same issue too:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/370710?tstart=0
Double-click/Drag-&-drop Photoshop files opens application but not file…
Note the last part about the missing "Adobe Unit Types" file in the Scripting Additions folder of the root level Library.
Another solution courtesy Anne Shelbourne
Open your Previous System folder.
Find "Adobe Unit Types".
Copy it into: <Your current system Hard Drive>/Library/ScriptingAdditions/
Then reboot your Mac.
However, if you happen to be running a non-English version, like Photoshop CS CE or Photoshop CS ME, it appears the missing file does not get installed. You would need to install and delete the international English version first.
I'm just speculating that this may apply in CS5 too as I don't have this latest version of Photoshop.
Wo Tai Lao Le
我太老了

CS5 - Double clicking won't open files at times.

This randomly happens with both jpegs and RAW files.
Going to File > Open, opens them every time.
Why don't my photo files open every time with double-clicking? This does not happen with my CS3 and does not happen with any other type of files.

This FAQ relates to Photoshop 7 through CS4, so it may be worth checking wheter it applies to CS5 for this very same issue too:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/370710?tstart=0
Double-click/Drag-&-drop Photoshop files opens application but not file…
Note the last part about the missing "Adobe Unit Types" file in the Scripting Additions folder of the root level Library.
Another solution courtesy Anne Shelbourne
Open your Previous System folder.
Find "Adobe Unit Types".
Copy it into: <Your current system Hard Drive>/Library/ScriptingAdditions/
Then reboot your Mac.
However, if you happen to be running a non-English version, like Photoshop CS CE or Photoshop CS ME, it appears the missing file does not get installed. You would need to install and delete the international English version first.
I'm just speculating that this may apply in CS5 too as I don't have this latest version of Photoshop.
Wo Tai Lao Le
我太老了

Double click doesn't open folder

when i double click on folder....the message appears as 'This file doesn't have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel
'...but double clicking opens all other files normally.....what is the problem?

Check this link: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html I think the problem is with the "Directory" file assoc. Remember to back up your durectory before you make any vmchanges and read the instructiona before
you do anything.

Double clicking does not open files.

The regular double clicking to open files on desktop, or in e-mail or to play a song in iTunes, does not work. I can get around the problem by going to a scroll down menu and click open or play (a song) but is one more step to get where i need to go. The only thing I used lately that is different is that I used the mouse instead of the trackpad for a day because a small injury in my hands.
I have an iBook G4, 10.5.8
Thank you in advance for your time and attention,
John
PD: The mouse I was trying to use did not work, model M5769. I found the one that came with this computer later that week and worked instantly.

Are we to understand, then, you resolved this issue
by using a different model mouse at the time?
Since I was reading back through older posts to see
if some were left without a reply, I saw this & wonder.
Hopefully you were able to solve this issue and it
would seem as though a different product worked.
I often use a wired USB mouse with my portables.
Almost any brand of mouse including two-button
will work. Fancier ones may require extra software.
Good luck & happy computing!

What should I do? Double click does not open files...

How can I restore the double-click to my MacBok Air? I cannot open a file by double-clicking. I have been using "control" to open a file.

first check and uncheck all actions for mouse settings in system preferences
then reset SMC
SMC reset
Shut down the computer.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.
Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.
If same
Contact Apple for an appt. for free in shop full diagnostic

Double click doesn't open...

My daughter has a MB 1.83. She is unable to double-click on her HD icon to open the contents window. A single click and command-O works, but never a double click. Also, inside iPhoto, a similar problem where she cannot double click a thumbnail photo to have it appear larger, only a single click followed by the edit command. Both of these symptoms did not occur right out of the box, only recently.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
JM

Never mind, the double click speed was set too fast. Apparently, at the fastest setting, it's nearly impossible the physically click twice in a row fast enough to satisfy the preference.
JM

Double-click doesn't open Excel file from File Explorer

I am having this problem on Win 8 Pro, using Excel 2013 - it is not giving an error though; it simply opens Excel with no workbook loaded...
Please advise - thank you in advance,

Hi,
First, using the hotfix for Windows 8 to check the issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211494
If it is not work, then try the following steps:
Close Excel
Start | Run | Open
Type in the box: excel /unregserver
then click ok
Start | Run | Open
Type in the box: excel /regserver
then click ok.
Jaynet Zhang
TechNet Community Support

Have trouble double clicking on a second file to open

There are really two problems here:
1) If I double click on a file, it opens in Illustrator, but it does not open with my default workspace settings. If I open the file from the file menu, my preferred workspace opens.
and
2) If I have one file open, I cannot double click on a second file and have that file open in Illustrator. I just get the little spinning circle and then it stops. I can still open a second file from the file/open menu option.
We are using CS6 and running windows 7.

Brett,
The issues which you have mentioned points towards having some permissions issue on the system.
My suggestion would be to make sure that the user account which are using is Administrator.
Also, make sure you have full permission on the location mentioned in the document below:
http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustrator.html
Here are the steps to modify ownership and permissions of folders and files:
1.       Right-click the file or folder, click Properties, and then click the Security tab.
2.       Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab.
3.       Click Edit, and then do one of the following:
·         To change the owner to a user or group that is not listed, click Other users and groups and, inEnter the object name to select (examples), type the name of the user or group, and then click OK.
·         To change the owner to a user or group that is listed, in the Change owner to box, click the new owner.
4.       If you want to take ownership of the contents of the folder, select the Replace owner on sub containers and objects check box.
5.       Click OK, and then click Yes when you receive the following message:
          You do not have permission to read the contents of directory folder name. Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control?
          All permissions will be replaced if you click Yes.
Note folder name is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of.
6.       Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and its contents.
Additional considerations
   ·         An administrator can take ownership of any file on the computer.
   ·         Assigning ownership of a file or a folder might require you to elevate your permissions using
Let me know if you need more help on this.
- Mandhir

Error Message when Double-clicking a CS4 InDesign File; Won't Open

I recently installed CS4, upgrading from CS2. Before installing CS4, I could double-click the icon for the file and it would open in InDesign CS2. After installing CS4, when I double-click an InDesign file icon, I get an error message that Windows cannot open the file and needs to know which program should be used. I check the "Select the program from a list" and a window opens that lists several of the applications I have installed. Neither InDesign versions are on the list, so I "Browse" to the Adobe folder in which both InDesigns reside. I then select a version (it doesn't matter which one; neither work) but then it doesn't appear in the list and my "selection" reverts to the "recommended" Photoshop CS4.
I can understand if this function has disappeared in CS4, and we now have to open a file using the "open" menu item, but I can't understand why neither verison "sticks" in the "Open With" window.
Any suggestions? I'm using Windows XP SP2.
Thanks,
Lloyd

That's what I thought. I tried the folder options association trick at http://forums.adobe.com/message/2864550#2864550, which kind of worked. Now, when I double-click on an InDesign file icon, InDesign CS4 opens, but the file does NOT open. Looks like I'll have to reinstall, unless someone has an addition to the solution.
Thanks!
Lloyd

How can i setup pages to automatically open when double clicked. Currently when I double click it creates cpgz file and does not open. The only way to open pages doc is to manually ask to open with pages.

Currently when I double click it creates cpgz file and does not open. The only way to open pages doc is to manually ask to open with pages.

Hi Karen,
Sounds like OS X has lost the association between Pages and its files.
Start by quitting Pages, then going to Finder.
In Finder, locate a .pages file. Click on it (once), then press command-I (eye, not one) to Get Info.
In the Info window that opens, expand the Open With section.
In this section, click on the pop-up menu and choose Pages (even if Pages is already shown).
Click the Change All button to associate all files with the .pages extension with Pages.
Close the info window.
Double click any .pages file to check that Pages will now launch and open the file.
Regards,
Barry

Double-click no longer opens PDF files after 9.3.2 update

I have Acrobat 9 Pro installed on both my desktop and my MacBook. On the desktop, the update to 9.3.2 went without problems, on the laptop however, I'm running into problems:
When I double-click on a PDF file, the Acrobat application opens, but the document does not open in Acrobat. If Acrobat is already running, the document also does not open in Acrobat. However, if I use the File>Open menu item in Acrobat, the documents open without any problems.
I've tried to repair Acrobat (which on the Mac dos not seem to do much besides reporting that the no repairs are necessary), and I've also fixed the file system permissions.
Anybody else having these problems? Or, even better any tips about how to fix that?
Thanks,
Karl Heinz

Thanks for the tip, but that did also not fix the problem. I ended up removing Acrobat 9 from my system and reinstalling it and all the updates up to 9.3.2. It's working again.
Thanks again,
Karl Heinz

How do I get iTunes to ONLY open in Mini Player? I don't want the entire iTunes interface opening when I double click on an Mp3 file.

How do I get iTunes to ONLY open in Mini Player? I don't want the entire iTunes interface opening when I double click on an Mp3 file.

Over 6000 people have downladed the script to get around this after a fashion. Is it still required?

Double clicking doesn't open files or folders

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