topic Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG in AutoCAD Forum

Can't change Windows default for DWG

shallN6L5D — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:00:39 GMT

Hi everyone,

This may have been answered before but I couldn't find it.

How can I force the Windows default app for DWG files to use a specific version of AutoCAD (in this case, 2024)?

This is in Windows 11.

We upgraded to the 2024 suite late last year and most of the user installs are fine. One user has the situation where DWG files will open from within AutoCAD 2024, but when opened from Windows (and therefore from Vault, which takes Windows settings); Windows insists on trying to open in AutoCAD 2022 which has been uninstalled. Choosing another app in Windows default apps or 'open with' and navigating to 2024 doesn't work; Windows won't display the newer version as an option.

There's probably a registry key I need to modify or remove, but I can't find it.

cheers

Simon

Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG

paullimapa — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 01:55:49 GMT

have you tried the solutions listed here:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/DWG-file-type-association-to-a-specific-version-of-AutoCAD-on-Windows-10.html

Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG

shallN6L5D — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 03:50:50 GMT

Thanks @paullimapa ;

No screen shots sorry as this is for one of my users and she has finished for the day. I have approximated what I'm seeing using my PC (where it works correctly).

Yes I have tried all of these.

* Associate using the specific version acad.exe file, Change the default app by file type, Associate to AutoCAD Launcher from File Properties:

For all of these methods, after I browse to the executable for AutoCAD 2024, Windows jumps back to the (uninstalled) old version. I even tried to trick Windows by selecting a completely different program (Notepad) but it still jumped back. What I see is like in the screen shot, where the app in the arrow says 'AutoCAD 2022' with no icon, and the 'Always' button is missing, and AutoCAD is not listed as an option in the list below.

* Associate DWG files with the AutoCAD DWG Launcher:

I tried this and it made no difference.

* Use "Send to"-method:

Not really a solution in this case as I want to set the Windows file open default so that it then also works in Vault.

So this may be more of a Windows problem than an AutoCAD problem, but I posted here in the hopes someone had already solved this problem.

Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG

paullimapa — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:08:33 GMT

Perhaps try creating a different windows user account with local admin rights.

Then sign in using that new windows profile.

Next have the user launch AutoCAD 2024 at least once opening an existing drawing file.

(User should be able to sign in using own Autodesk ID)

After closing out of AutoCAD now see if a dwg file can be launched into 2024 from Explorer in this new Windows profile.

Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG

pendean — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:29:16 GMT

@shallN6L5D Here are the ways to open a support case with Autodesk if you are on subscription to seek out Autodesk Support's help:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/account/manage/use/support#:~:text=com/plans.-,Contact%20support,-Select%20a%20path

Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG

shallN6L5D — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 18:56:56 GMT

Thanks @pendean I have created a case.
If the solution is "rebuild the PC" I won't be happy...

Re: Can't change Windows default for DWG

shallN6L5D — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:37:13 GMT

So the solution was effectively "create a support ticket". I had an online session with a rep from Autodesk and we deleted several registry keys. I'm not posting those here because deleting random registry keys is a good way to destroy an installation.
We didn't actually expect this to fix it (but it did, so case closed), as the uninstall of old versions had been done remotely (pending feature request; allow remote install and uninstall via InTune) and this had left artefacts behind. That's an issue for another day and another post...