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RCDefaultApp
RCDefaultApp
2.1

4.6

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RCDefaultApp free download for Mac

RCDefaultApp

2.1
20 September 2009

Easily change the default application for opening file types.

Developer website

Overview

RCDefaultApp is a Mac OS X 10.2 or later preference pane that allows a user to set the default application used for various URL schemes, file extensions, file types, MIME types, and Uniform Type Identifiers (or UTIs; MacOS 10.4 only). MacOS X uses the extension and file type settings to choose the application when opening a file in Finder, while Safari and other applications use the URL and MIME type settings at other times for content not related to a file (such as an unknown URL protocol, or a media stream)

RCDefaultApp also allows setting the application when digital cameras or FireWire webcams such as iSight are connected to the computer

What's new in RCDefaultApp

Version 2.1:
  • Added ability to ignore creator codes for extensions (MacOS X 10.4 and above).
  • Added IM selection (i.e. aim:// protocol) to the Internet pane.
  • Added Blank/Video BD (Blu-ray) and DVD Device to the Media pane on MacOS x 10.5 (Leopard and above).
  • Added Spanish localization.
  • Only show one version of an application on 10.4 and above, per system limitation.
  • Fixed bug with the File Types tab on Intel machines.
  • Improved discovery of existing settings.
  • Built with a 64-bit Intel binary to work with the Snow Leopard System Preferences.
  • Fixed a couple of other minor bugs.

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RCDefaultApp Screenshots

  • RCDefaultApp for Mac - review, screenshots
  • RCDefaultApp for Mac - review, screenshots
  • RCDefaultApp for Mac - review, screenshots
  • RCDefaultApp for Mac - review, screenshots

49 RCDefaultApp Reviews

See all

Rate this app:

anonymous-magpie-3853
anonymous-magpie-3853
27 November 2009

Most helpful

Great App! Transmission has recently added Magnet link support into the latest nightlies, and there is no way(that I know of) to change the default app (from Vuze to Transmission). this app makes it super easy!
Like (3)
Version 2.1
immwi
immwi
21 January 2020
Great App, unfortunately not working in Catalina 10.15. Could you please update the source code? Thank you!
Like
Version 2.1
Sheppy
Sheppy
26 September 2019
Unfortunately, RCDefaultApp no longer works starting in Catalina, since it's not notarized and whatnot. Now looking for a replacement. :(
Like
Version 2.1
Jerry-T
Jerry-T
15 March 2019
For osx >= 10.12, https://github.com/Lord-Kamina/SwiftDefaultApps
Like (1)
Version 2.1
1 answer(s)
Lounge-Deluxe
Lounge-Deluxe
05 April 2019
Thanks Jerry-T, and for the latest compiled version: https://github.com/Lord-Kamina/SwiftDefaultApps/releases/
Like (1)
Psychiatry
Psychiatry
02 April 2018
This is a great System Preference Pane which allows you to select the default app for many files types. Unfortunately, it was last updated to version 2.1 on September 2009. That is EIGHT YEARS AGO. Hopefully it will continue to work with the next MacOS 10.14 due September 2018. This version only allows 64-bit apps to work. 32-bit apps will no longer run. The developer listed this app as a 32/64-bit Universal app. So cross your fingers.
Like
Version 2.1
1 answer(s)
MichaelHaeusler
MichaelHaeusler
17 September 2018
Execute the command `file ~/Library/PreferencePanes/RCDefaultApp.prefPane/Contents/MacOS/RCDefaultApp`, and it clearly says "Mach-O universal binary with 3 architectures: [x86_64:Mach-O 64-bit bundle x86_64] [ppc:Mach-O bundle ppc]", i.e. PPC, Intel 32, and Intel 64, so it should be future-proof in terms of macOS compatibility. @MacUpdate: you should add "Intel 64" to the platform.
Like (1)
Dana_Nau
Dana_Nau
10 May 2017
Despite all the changes to OS X since 2009, RCDefaultApp still works fine, and still provides useful functionality. I don't need to use it often - but when do need it, I'm very glad it's there.
Like (1)
Version 2.1
sreenath-s
sreenath-s
26 November 2016
Excellent !
Like
Version 2.1
Jgj
Jgj
15 September 2016
Unfortunately this wonderful tool, which worked beautifully all the way up through El Capitan, doesn't work at all on Sierra (Golden Master). It has to do with old-style garbage collection. If you try using the `lstool` binary buried inside at the CLI, you'll see that Sierra won't even let it run. `lstool` is what does all the work, IIRC. Of all the things that I'm losing because of Sierra breakage, this is the most painful.
Like
Version 2.1
1 answer(s)
Dana_Nau
Dana_Nau
10 May 2017
That's puzzling, because it still is working for me with Sierra 10.12.4. A few minutes ago, I used it to tell OS X which app to use to open OPML files.
Like
anonymous-swan-3260
anonymous-swan-3260
14 January 2016
Sophos reports that the 2.1 update contains "Adware or PUA InstallCore" and blocks the install.
Like
Version 2.1
anonymous-swan-3260
anonymous-swan-3260
14 January 2016
Sophos reports that the 2.1 update contains "Adware or PUA InstallCore" and blocks the install.
Like
Version 2.1
1 answer(s)
neeklamy
neeklamy
11 February 2016
No need to be so fearful, James!

Sophos Home antivirus is simply saying that this may contain a PUA.

From Sophos, “Potentially Unwanted Applications, also called “PUAs”, are programs that may not be malicious but that you might not want on your computer…”

I uploaded the RCDefaultApp.prefpane to VirusTotal’s scanner, which then checked the included files against 54 different virus scanners, nothing found, you can see the results here: https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/78de47d0782cde0e9a1afd35821539a6ecbefde7992ab2e6fbea42570883a43c/analysis/1455189353/

I’ve used RCDefaultApp in the past and have just now reinstalled and used it again. From my limited use I can say there’s nothing to be concerned about regarding this preference pane.

It’s amazing too that whilst this hasn’t been updated in over 6 years, it runs perfectly on the latest OS X.
Like (1)
Krioni
Krioni
08 July 2015
This has been a useful utility for a long time. Glad it still works. Oh, and if you get worried about the included "DoNothing.app" security warning, there's an easy fix. Go to (either your user or the top-level Library, depending on whether you chose All Users or just This User when installing): /Library/PreferencePanes/RCDefaultApp.app Right-click on it and choose Show Package Contents, then go into Contents/Resources/DoNothing.app. Right-click on that to choose Open - that will ask you to confirm that it is OK to be opened. Here's an explanation of what it is for, from the FAQ, in case you missed it: "As mentioned in the README, "disabling" an entry actually assigns it to a dummy application contained within RCDefaultApp.prefPane called DoNothing.app. This application will launch for a few seconds in the background, and then exit. This is done because LaunchServices does not allow an entry to be truly disabled."
Like (2)
Version 2.1

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Free

4.6

App requirements: 
  • Intel 32
  • PPC 32
  • Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later
Category: 

System Utilities

•

System

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