Mac OS X: Installer Package Appears as a Folder
This document explains what to do if an installer (or other package) appears as a folder and thus cannot be used as expected.
Symptom
An installer icon appears as a folder instead of a normal package icon, and it is not usable.
When trying to use package that appears as a folder, it opens to show contents (instead of opening the Installer application).
Solution
1. Verify that the Installer application is installed in this folder:
/Applications/Utilities
If Installer is not present, you may restore it by copying it from your Mac OS X Install CD. On the CD, it is located at:
Mac OS X Install CD/Applications/Utilities/Installer
If Installer is present but the issue persists, continue to Step 2.
2. Remove these files, then restart the computer:
For Mac OS X 10.2 or later, remove:
/Library/Caches/com.apple.LaunchServices.LocalCache.csstore
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.LaunchServices.UserCache.csstore
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.plist
For Mac OS X 10.1 or earlier, remove:
~/Library/PreferencesLSApplications
~/Library/PreferencesLSClaimedTypes
~/Library/PreferencesLSSchemes
Note:
The tilde (~) character represents your Home folder.
3. If the issue persists, create a new Admin user account in System Preferences.
Note:
For Mac OS X 10.0 to 10.1.5, the User preference pane is used. In Mac OS X 10.2 or later, you use the Accounts preference pane.
4. Log out, and log back in as the Admin user you just created.
5. Mac OS X 10.1.5 only: If the issue persists, use the Repair Privileges utility. See technical document 106900, "
Mac OS X: About the Repair Privileges Utility 1.1
".
6. If the issue persists, you may need perform an erase-install (Mac OS X 10.0-10.1.5) or Archive Installation (Mac OS X 10.2) to resolve the issue.
Published Date: Oct 10, 2016
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