Resetting Launch services: Can solve various Finder, application-related issues
Resetting Launch services: Can solve various Finder, application-related issues
We previously reported that resetting Launch Services (deleting the Launch Services cache files) can solve an issue with persistent crashes that occur when accessing menu items in various applications.
This procedure is also useful in a number of other troubleshooting instances, including:
- Problems launching applications -- particularly when accompanied by error -10810
- Duplicate items in the "Open With..." contextual menu (for more, see this article)
- Launcher utilities (Quicksilver, LaunchBar, etc.) cannot properly open applications
- Problems opening documents with the correct application
There are a number of ways to reset the Launch Services database.
The easiest is to use a utility like LSRefresh. Several general-purpose Mac OS X maintenance utilities, including AppleJack, can perform this function as well.
You can also manually delete the Mac OS X Launch Services caches from the directory: /Library/Caches/. Delete any files that are named as such:
- com.apple.LaunchServices-[...].csstore
- e.g.: com.apple.LaunchServices-015501.csstore
- com.apple.LaunchServices.plist
then restart.
Alternatively, you can use this AppleScript, provided by a member of the MacFixIt forums.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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