All File Formats Default to Adobe Photoshop in CS4

NB
Posted By
NH_Barrie
Jan 19, 2009
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528
Replies
5
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Closed
I recently upgraded to Creative Suite CS4 from Photoshop CS3. Previously, all my images, when viewing them in Windows Explorer, were defined by a specific icon and file type. For example, GIF images were associated with a specific GIF icon and JPEG images were associated with a specific JPEG icon, etc. Now with CS4 they all are listed as Adobe Photoshop Images with the same PS icon. I cannot tell when browsing what type of image file they are. Very frustrating when working in print as well as web.

Any one else run into this and does anyone have a solution?

Thanks!

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J
Jim
Jan 19, 2009
wrote in message
I recently upgraded to Creative Suite CS4 from Photoshop CS3. Previously, all my images, when viewing them in Windows Explorer, were defined by a specific icon and file type. For example, GIF images were associated with a specific GIF icon and JPEG images were associated with a specific JPEG icon, etc. Now with CS4 they all are listed as Adobe Photoshop Images with the same PS icon. I cannot tell when browsing what type of image file they are. Very frustrating when working in print as well as web.
Any one else run into this and does anyone have a solution?
Thanks!
While I am not running CS4, it is clear from you post that installation procedure for CS4 changed the icons for the various graphics file types. You can change them back through the use of the folder options tab in the control panel. Be aware, however, that some icons reside in program files or dlls, and finding them can be difficult.

Surely, though, you can know what kinds of graphics files you are using through the file extensions.

Jim
P
Phosphor
Jan 19, 2009
First of all you should always have the extensions showing. Always.

When you install Photoshop one of the dialogs allows you to choose which file types you want Photoshop to open. Did you skip that dialog?

Second, you can associate file types with different programs by right-clicking and choosing Open With, browse for the program and choose it, making sure "Always use this program…" is checked. So you’ll have to go through and choose which program you want associated with each file type.
M
Mylenium
Jan 20, 2009
If you want to extend Ed’s recommendation, you can also manually change file associations in your Folder options in Explorer. With luck, your old associations are still in place and you only need to remove the latest rule added by Photoshop. and Ed is also right about extensions – always show them. In this day and age there is enough fraudware that coerces the user by using wrong icons. You wouldn’t wanna get yourself a Trojan or virus just by clicking on what you thought was an image…

Mylenium
NB
NH_Barrie
Jan 21, 2009
Ed,

Thanks for replying. But I have been using Photoshop since version 5.0 and I always do those things you listed. I also always associate any image files to open with Photoshop (first thing!) to make my life easier. This is something that seems to be unique to CS4 at least in my experience.
NB
NH_Barrie
Jan 21, 2009
Mylenium,

Thanks for your reply. As with Ed, I have done everything you have suggested also. I finally uninstalled CS4 and reinstalled CS3 to get back to basics (Have a large project to get completed and have no more time to devote to this!) I have spent hours associating and re-associating file types to new and old extensions until I’m blue in the face!!

I’m getting the impression from other blogs that CS4 has some issues!

NH Barrie

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