How to change default app from PS beta back to PS public, and can both run at once?

[MarcySB]

How do I change the default app for .psd and .jpg files back to the public Photoshop? I know how to assign this in the settings and have done it in settings several times. It still defaults to the beta when I double click to open a file. I do NOT want the beta version to be the default to open a document, and I do not want to have to open Photoshop first and then go file.open every single time I want to use it. If there is not answer for this, I will uninstall beta - as much fun as generative fill is, it is not that important to me to have it. I do have the newest versions of both installed.

Also, in Windows, is there any way to have both the public and beta versions open at the same time?

Thanks,

Marcy

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

The last installer activity will always take over file associations.

Normally you want to follow strict version order. The beta disrupts chronology a bit - they're both version 24.

You should probably be fine reinstalling the public version, and it should then take over file associations. When the time comes to uninstall, start with the one holding file associations, and then work backwards. Then reinstall whatever you want to keep.

Having a beta installed is always a bit risky, and the risk is your own. That's why it's a beta.

[Bridget22785401zocy]

if i uninstall the beta version, will my files be deleted somehow and not be accesible in normal photoshop. bc i have opened my files mistakenly and been brought to the beta version. thanks!

[D Fosse]

@Bridget22785401zocy 

Your files aren't "in" Photoshop. They are safely sitting on disk where you saved them.

What can get broken are your file associations - which application opens the files by default. This is the complication that can happen by having multiple versions installed. This isn't a problem if you always install and uninstall in strict version order - but a beta tends to be installed outside the standard version sequence, and that causes problems unless you observe some basic rules.

In Windows, the last installer activity will always take over the file associations. So what you should do is uninstall all your installed versions and start with the one currently holding the file associations. Then go backwards.

When you've done that, reinstall the version you want to keep.

Again, this is not a problem as long as you understand how file associations work and take a few basic precautions.

[MarcySB]

I'm not going to uninstall and reinstall Photoshop because every time I do, I lose my brushes, my workspace, and my actions and I'm tired of rebuilding everything. Maybe there will be a Photoshop update soon that will let me switch. Or I'll uninstall the beta version for now. I know installing a beta version csomes with risk but I did not expect not being able to assign a file extension was one of them. Thanks.

[D Fosse]

Actions and brushes can be very easily saved out, and that is something you should always do, routinely, in any case. Not just for migrating between versions. You might need to reload them for several other reasons, for instance resetting preferences for troubleshooting.

[rossk44716372]

Go to File > Open With and select the non-beta version to open an image.

[mmydip]

While your comment is appreciated, I think most people who are using an app such as Photoshop probably have the wherewithal to know to try that. The problem in this topic of conversation is that the "non-Beta version" is not an option in the "Open With" submenu. Hence, one of the dilemmas.

[Lumigraphics]

This is how Windows works. If you get a Mac, it works differently.

BTW, this CAN be changed in the Windows registry. I'll leave that as an exercise for the reader.

[-MJ-]

But this way doesn't work in Windows. If you choose the normal standard version of Photoshop (even if you check the checkmark), the file will still be opened with the beta version. There is something about Adobe that intervenes. The native way to change the shortcut definitely doesn't work here (Windows 10 x64). (cursing removed) I will uninstall the beta version again.

[MarcySB]

@rossk44716372 - I tried that - the Beta still opened. I'm just hoping that with the next update of the public version, making it the latest installation, that the public version will become the default again. Thanks.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @MarcySB when you change your settings in the Windows OS you have to browse and find the specific version of Photoshop. After that if you open the beta and the 24.5 version simultaneously, it will open in the beta.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-default-programs-in-windows-e5d82cad-17d1-c53b-35...

As for your brushes issue, make sure you are saving your presets and when you install new versions you are not wiping out preferences (setting in your CC desktop app).

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preset-migration.html

[Bridget22785401zocy]

my photoshop app is not showing up on the list of apps. pls help

[MarcySB]

@Kevin Stohlmeyer I'm not sure I totally understand your answer. In the Windows settings I have chosen the 24.5 version many times as the version I want to open the app. It still opens a psd or jpg file in beta if I double click the file, which is how I've opened files for years. Your link is how I've been doing it and it won't set it. Even if I right-click and say Open with, choosing 24.5 STILL opens the beta version.

Also, I can't open the beta and 24.5 at the same time - Windows 11 won't seem to allow that. From what I've seen in chats in videos introducing 24.5 May 2023 version, others can't either.

As for saving the presets, that has been my preference since CC first became a desktop app. And it does not always work.

I did just uncheck remove previous version so if I need anything from the previous version, I should have it.

I wonder if I crossed some wires somewhere. I'd really hate to have to uninstall and reinstall both of them, so I'm going to wait for now.

Thanks.

[jane-e]

Also, in Windows, is there any way to have both the public and beta versions open at the same time?

By @MarcySB

Hi Marcy,

In addition to what DFosse said, on macOS you can run multiple versions of applications simultaneously, but Windows OS usually disallows that. Give it a try — you'll get an error message if it can't be done.

Also: back up your actions and brushes and everything else anyway. If you don't, you risk losing them at a most inopportune time.

Jane

[MarcySB]

Well, sort of an update but by no means a solution. Yesterday there was an update to the public version of Photoshop. Now the default when I double click a file to open it is back to the public version of Photohop, where I want it. That said, I assume the next update if it is to the beta version will switch it back. For the moment it does what I want it to. But who knows how long it will last. Hopefully Adobe will still look at these issues!

[D Fosse]

If you read the first reply in the thread, you'd see that the latest installer activity will always take over file associations.

[MarcySB]

Yes, I read that, which is why after the latest install, I tested that and then posted here that it actually happened. Thanks.

[desmondg18111326]

It's weird that they messed up the version order for beta apps to be opened by default. Hope Adobe fix this mistake.

[D Fosse]

Have you read any of the previous replies?

[desmondg18111326]

Yes, you mean about the 'the latest installer activity will always take over file associations?' I personally don't really see that as a solution to this.

If Adobe would like users to use beta versions and help improve the product it shouldn't mess up file associations like this.
I've used several beta apps of other companies and didn't run into this issue.

For now I just install it if I need it, so test way less then I would or give feedback if it didn't have this issue.

[Loren309257597eo2]

I have experienced the same problem and had to uninstall the beta. I like to open and review my NEF photos in Microsoft Photos, then when I see one that I would like to process, I open it from there into Photoshop, the non-beta version. 

[Photographer Donna]

Uninstall it, thats what I did

[jeroenr92072295]

It is sort of infuriating. But for the sake of productive conversations, I'll try to contain myself a bit.

No way I am uninstalling and reinstalling the public version every time the beta updates and decides to hijack the file associations once again. Photoshop Beta updates more often than Photoshop public version. I feel that this is something of a deployment issue, where there is a conflict in how Windows handles things and how Adobe deploys their apps. Can't the development team look into this conflict of file associations? Might critically reviewing their DevOps pipeline for deploying Beta in a way that it can better coexist with the public version solve it? I don't know, maybe it's as simple as renaming some sort of application ID (e.g. "com.adobe.photoshop.xxxxx.beta" interfering with "com.adobe.photoshop.xxxxx" on Windows file associations) or disabling file associations for the Beta version in general. 

Just my two cents, because I think that working around the constraints of this conflict is too tedious.

[D Fosse]

This should be clear as crystal: it's your choice to install beta software. Nobody's forcing you; it is not necessary to ensure version compatibility with any other software.

In short: it's optional.

Beta software always comes with inherent risks, and those risks are your own. I use Photoshop to make a living, and I would never, ever, allow Photoshop beta on that machine. Just never.