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Known Participant
November 26, 2017
Answered

mac: Illustrator constantly hijacks file associations

  • November 26, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 1073 views

hi people.

I use many creative cloud apps, and for some strange reason

downloaded Illustrator, but never learned to use it.

so i never use it.

but lately on my Mac (updated El Capitan), Illustrator somehow

keeps taking over file associations for JPG's and PNG files that

are on my desktop as icons.

so, I constantly change back to "Preview" (which should be the
default, but is not even listed in the common "open with" menu,

kind of bizarre), and the next day, Illustrator has taken over again.

short of trashing Illustrator, which I may do, does anyone have

any advice on what may be the issue?

thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Monika Gause

This is not an Illustrator issue. The Finder handles this. Whenever you double click a file, the Finder handles which application is going to launch. There are some issues with this posted in the Apple forums.

You might want to search for LaunchServices, file type icons or your issue of file association

Try this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6798667

3 replies

Participant
January 18, 2018

I'm having the same issue with CS6 on a Mac. It started happening about week ago.  I first noticed it with Acrobat X Pro taking over my PDF files then is was Fireworks hijacking my PNG files now it seems to have changed to Illustrator hijacking PNG and JPG files. I keep changing the default program back to Preview but it does not stick. This is super annoying and I don't understand why it suddenly started happening because I have not updated OSX. I'm using 10.9.5. I have not updated any Adobe programs or my operating system. There is no information anywhere on line that solves this problem. I keep finding the same canned answer on how to change the default file association.. no kidding.. it just doesn't work! Can someone please figure this out because I'm tearing my hair out on this one.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
January 18, 2018

This is not an Illustrator issue. The Finder handles this. Whenever you double click a file, the Finder handles which application is going to launch. There are some issues with this posted in the Apple forums.

You might want to search for LaunchServices, file type icons or your issue of file association

Try this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6798667

erict79766314
Participant
January 1, 2018

I am having this problem now.  It is frustrating as all get out.  There is no obvious place in the settings to change this behavior.  Changing file associations in the OS is pointless, because CC will change them back a few minutes later.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 1, 2018

Which system is this and what exactly is happening step by step?

Known Participant
November 26, 2017

also, I'm getting some strange "forum reply" (from forums_noreply@adobe.com) in a bizarre language that makes no sense:

Adobe Community

Hallo,

U ontvangt deze e-mail, omdat de inhoud die u hebt gepost is goedgekeurd door onze moderators.

mac: Illustrator constantly hijacks file associations

Is it just one of those "Derp Kind Of Days" in the computer universe?