Every time you want to open a file it is quite inconvenient to opt for a desired program other than the one set as default. For example if you like to play a video using VLC player but it always gets played in quick time player. Source: This tip inspired by research and testing by Creativetechs consultant Jordan Bojar.It might be tricky sometimes to choose a program to open a specific file.

These types of vulnerabilities can be addressed by choosing the URI tab and setting any vulnerable URI entries to “disabled.”įor best security, we’d recommend disabling the following URI:įor additional details we’d refer readers to the article Disabling Unsafe URI Handlers With RCDefaultApp at Daring Fireball.Īs our security-conscious consultant Jordan Bojar said when lobbying for the addition of these security details, “Mostly, it’s just cool to set all your PDFs to open in Acrobat.” One such vulnerability is detailed far too thoroughly at the special Month of Apple Bugs website. Feel free to skip.Ĭertain of Mac OS X’s default handlers for custom URI protocols (weblinks) expose exploitable security holes. Close security holes with how certain weblinks are handled. These settings are grouped together under the Internet tab. Pick a different default mail client or web browser.ĭo you want to use Entourage as your default email program? Maybe you prefer Firefox over Safari. To change your PDF setting for example, you may have to set “PDF” and “pdf” separately. Tip: Look for similarly named file extensions - especially uppercase vs lowercase. Choose your default application from the pop-up menu. Want all your PDF files opened in Acrobat Reader instead of Preview? Want all PDF, JPG, or TIF files to open in Photoshop?Ĭhoose the Extensions tab and scroll down through the list of file extensions to the ones you are interested in. Control which applications open certain files. Once RCDefaultApp is installed, simply go to Mac OS X’s system preferences (found under the Apple menu) and click on the “Default App” at the bottom.

We outline a few of the most common examples below. With this plethora of options it can be a little overwhelming for the casual user. But RCDefaultApp makes it much easier by putting the most requested controls into one location - a new “Default Apps” option at the bottom of your Mac OS X System Preferences. Of course you can change these settings other ways. Close security holes with how certain weblinks are handled.Control what opens when digital cameras or webcams are plugged in.Pick a different default mail client or web browser.It adds a special preference pane that allows you to quickly change the default application for many common situations: RCDefaultApp is a free utility that Creativetechs has started adding to our recommended Mac OS X installs.

Mac set default email program