Make 32 bit Photoshop CS4 the default instead of 64 bit?

KT
Posted By
Kevin_Thom
Oct 26, 2008
Views
2222
Replies
22
Status
Closed
It was a bit of a surprise to find that none of my 32-bit plugins would work with Photoshop CS4 x64. Most seem to work fine in the 32-bit version of PS though. Is there a way to make the 32-bit version launch by default from Bridge or when opening a PSD file instead of the 64-bit version?

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M
Mylenium
Oct 26, 2008
For the double-click opening, adjust your Explorer file associations under Extras –> Folder Options –> File Types. Pick out the PSD file type and then choose "Change" to assign a new file handler. For Bridge, similar procedures apply by changing the assignment in The prefs.

Mylenium
JJ
John Joslin
Oct 26, 2008
You forgot to mention your OS.

You have to set the file associations in Windows Explorer and Bridge Preferences to

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe PhotoshopCS4\Photoshop.exe
KT
Kevin_Thom
Oct 26, 2008
Thanks! That’s fixed it. For the record, I’m using Windows Vista Ultimate x64.
JJ
John Joslin
Oct 26, 2008
🙂
KT
Kevin_Thom
Oct 28, 2008
I found another situation in which Bridge will launch 64-bit Photoshop, even if the associations have been set to the 32-bit version. To reproduce it, do this:

1) In Bridge Preferences, go to General, and select "Double-click edits Camera Raw settings in Bridge."
2) Double click a RAW file for editing. It will open Camera Raw immediately instead of opening Photoshop.
3) Make your adjustments and click "Open image." 64-bit Photoshop will launch.

The workaround is to make sure "Double-click edits Camera Raw settings in Bridge" is unchecked. However, I like having this setting on, especially if I’m working on adjusting a large number of images without needing to take them into Photoshop immediately. This way, Photoshop only loads once you’re ready to process them as a batch.

Anyway, it would be nice to have a global setting somewhere in preferences to disable the launch of the 64-bit version under any circumstance. For now, I’ve just renamed the 64-bit photoshop.exe to photoshop.bak to prevent it from loading.
JC
Jason_Clough
Dec 29, 2008
I am having the exact same problem as the OP. Additionally, I have not been able to change the file associations. If I right click the file and choose "open with" followed by "choose default program" I can browse to the 32 bit version of the Photoshop executable in my (x86) folder, but it doesnt actually change. I have done this though the context menu in windows explorer, and the default programs applet in the control panel (as an administrator).

I have also renamed the 64 bit PS executable to Photoshop.backup to remove it from the list of default programs. This does nothing however as I still cant change the default and PSD files now open in quicktime image viewer.

Last thing I tried was changing the registry so that version 11 (cs4) is forced to point to the 32 bit executable instead of the 64bit version. This hasn’t worked either.

I haven’t been able to find this extras -> folder options -> File Types menu that Mylenium mentioned. The OP indicates that worked for him.

I am sure I am missing something really simple with the above solution but I cannot find it.

Iam also using Vista 64 Ultimate.

Thanks in advance.
LH
Lawrence_Hudetz
Dec 29, 2008
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe PhotoshopCS4\Photoshop.exe" is the 64 bit version, not 32 JJ. Doesn’t the OP want to open in 32?
BL
Bob Levine
Dec 29, 2008
That is the 32 bit version. The 64 bit version is in the Program Files folder.

Bob
JJ
John Joslin
Dec 29, 2008
Yup!
LH
Lawrence_Hudetz
Dec 29, 2008
There is no "C:\Program Files (x86)\…in 32 bit.
JJ
John Joslin
Dec 29, 2008
We are talking about Windows Vista Ultimate x64 here (see post#3).
LH
Lawrence_Hudetz
Dec 29, 2008
Right. I am ghosting one as we spwak.
BL
Bob Levine
Dec 29, 2008
When you install CS4 in a 64 bit O/S both versions are installed.

Bob
LH
Lawrence_Hudetz
Dec 29, 2008
That’s right. And that means the 32 bit runs on a 64 bit OS. Duh! 😀

I would rather run the 32 on 32. And i assumed (I know, I know!) that would be the case. But obviously, you cannot install the 32 bit version on a non-existent 32 bit OS.

Again, duh!

Thanks for the clarification.
LH
Lawrence_Hudetz
Dec 29, 2008
In my defense, we deal with both 32 and 64 versions on XP and Vista by dual booting platforms that require testing on all four configurations.
JB
James_Bradford
Jan 15, 2009
Please see post #6… "Jason Clough – 6:12am Dec 29, 08 PST (#6 of 15)"… I’ve been having this problem from minute one, and it’s really getting old… I’m on Vista 64 Premium… BOTH versions install (as they’re supposed to)… I can use wither one, but I *CANNOT* set either one a s the default in Vista… It keeps loading PhotoShop 7… I have completely removed PhotoShop 7 now… At this point, when I go into the "default programs" dialogue, I *CAN* navigate to the 32-bit version (just like before), but when I select it, the "default programs" dialogue does NOT add it to the list to select as the default. Before, it just kept going to version 7… Now, it won’t go to anything… I just have to manually load PhotoShop CS4 (32-bit), and manually open the .jpg through the program… VERY aggravating! (same scenario for 64-bit version)… The question in posting #6 never got answered, and i think that’s also where this whole thing started anyway… Any thoughts?

Thanks, in advance!

– JT
JJ
John Joslin
Jan 15, 2009
I think you need to clean up your registry!
JB
James_Bradford
Jan 16, 2009
I’m willing… How? Can you point me to any on-line tutorials?

Thanks!

– JT
JJ
John Joslin
Jan 16, 2009
I use CCleaner ( <http://www.ccleaner.com/> ).

A lot of people are reluctant to use registry cleaners but this one lets you decide what it will look at, shows you the problems and lets you decide which ones to fix. It also prompts you to do a registry backup before fixing.
BL
Bob Levine
Jan 16, 2009
I’ll second ccleaner.

Bob
DM
dave_milbut
Jan 16, 2009
i’ve used ccleaner, but the REAL way to clean up your registry is to format and reinstall. reg cleaners are band aids at best…
JB
James_Bradford
Jan 17, 2009
Thanks for the help!

I actually found a solution for this…

<http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithadd.htm>

It worked perfectly for Vista-64, for each of the three programs that would not populate in the "default programs" dialogue (PhotoShop was only one of them). After doing a LOT of careful research, I have discovered that this is a VERY common problem in Vista (regardless of the file-type and/or program that you are trying to set defaults for), but it seems to be plaguing the 64-bit version more frequently than the 32-bit version.

I hope this helps others experiencing the same issues. 😉

– JT

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