topic Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file in AutoCAD Forum

Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

Anonymous — Fri, 27 May 2016 12:45:20 GMT

Dear Sir/Mam,

This is to find solution for a problem with my Autocad 2016.

Everytime i try to open a new DWG file, Autocad opens the same in a new session. This is very annoying as we need to work on multiple files at a time and opening new session everytime, reduces system performance and decreases efficiency. I have also checked SDI to be 0, and also reinstalled my Autocad 2016.

Please suggest a solution.

Thanks and Regards,

Alekh Verma

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

RobDraw — Fri, 27 May 2016 13:32:17 GMT

Open file from AutoCAD, not from File Explorer.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

nrz13 — Fri, 27 May 2016 13:53:56 GMT

What operating system are you using?

You get two separate AutoCAD windows or just two instances on the Windows taskbar? Note that the taskbar in Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10 shows individual documents in programs as separate instances on the taskbar. To disable AutoCAD from doing this, set TASKBAR to 0 instead of 1.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

RobDraw — Fri, 27 May 2016 14:17:23 GMT

The Windows setting can also be changed to stacked, showing all open drawings in one taskbar icon location.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

Emmsleys — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 01:51:04 GMT

@Anonymous,

Were you able to resolve the issue you were having by the suggestions made in this thread? If so can you please mark the appropriate post/post's with the Accept As Solution.

If you are still having this issue you can also try the following;

If SDI is already set to 0, try re-associating . DWG files with the AutoCAD DWG Launcher as per the instructions in DWG file type associativity in Windows.

It may be that AutoCAD and the AutoCAD DWG Launcher need elevated permissions. To do this:

Locate the following two files:
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\acad.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AcShellEx\AcLauncher.exe
Right-click each file and choose Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab.
Set the option at the bottom to run as administrator. Click OK.

In some circumstances AutoCAD needs to be reset to defaults (see How to reset AutoCAD to defaults).

If double-clicking a DWG file doesn't launch AutoCAD at all, please refer to Double-clicking a DWG file fails to launch AutoCAD.

There is also another thread that had a similar issue and can be viewed here and here.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

dhaverstick — Thu, 03 May 2018 13:30:16 GMT

I have experienced a similar situation with AutoCAD Mechanical 2018. To fix the issue, I had to go into the registry and change a couple of keys.

There are some reg keys down the path of HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DwgCommon\shellex\apps. Find the one for AutoCAD Mechanical. It will reference "ACADMPP". Look at the values for OpenDdeSvc and PrintDdeSvc. Both of mine had the value of AutoCAD.r21.DDE. I changed that value to AutoCAD.r22.DDE (which is the 2018 version) and the problem was fixed.

Darren Haverstick

Paul Mueller Company

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

SorinBrie4666 — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 01:13:47 GMT

Combining tabs still does not solve the issue of how to avoid two sessions o Autocad being opened - issue is still unresolved as far as I am concerned. This is a matter of performance for the pc. How do we stop the un-used session from opening??

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

RobDraw — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 11:04:33 GMT

Open the drawings from within AutoCAD.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 06:08:40 GMT

If the problem remains while your system variables were:

- in AutoCAD: SDI set to 0

- in AutoCAD: TASKBAR set to 0

- in Windows: DWG files are already associated in Windows with the "AutoCAD DWG Launcher" application

- in Windows: acad.exe is set to "Run this program as an administrator."

To completely solve the problem:

1. Locate AcLauncher.exe at its installed directory (usually C:) :

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AcShellEx\AcLauncher.exe"

2. Right-click on the file and choose Properties and then the Compatibility tab.

3. Toggle the setting "Run this program as an administrator." and then click OK.

Good Luck...

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

pjfontes — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 18:30:29 GMT

ACAD Electrical 2018, Win10 w/beyond-trust

None of these methods worked for me. Hopefully this reply will be helpful for others who are stuck.

I was finally able to get AutoCAD 2018 to launch correctly by deleting extra entries (seen as "folders") found in:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DwgCommon\shellex\apps\

using regedit, if you click on each funny-named 'folder' (eg. {80B0F5DE-B452-44bf-A155-2467B0E9D531}:ACADE) you will see paths associated with autocad.

in my case, I deleted the entire 'folder' for which 'OpenLaunch' was pointing at ACAD 2014. FINALLY solved my issue!!!

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

pjfontes — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 18:35:31 GMT

@dhaverstick wrote:

I have experienced a similar situation with AutoCAD Mechanical 2018. To fix the issue, I had to go into the registry and change a couple of keys.

There are some reg keys down the path of HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DwgCommon\shellex\apps. Find the one for AutoCAD Mechanical. It will reference "ACADMPP". Look at the values for OpenDdeSvc and PrintDdeSvc. Both of mine had the value of AutoCAD.r21.DDE. I changed that value to AutoCAD.r22.DDE (which is the 2018 version) and the problem was fixed.

Darren Haverstick

Paul Mueller Company

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^! This ^^^^^^^^^

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

dascorpus — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 13:05:23 GMT

Go to any dwg file in the File Explorer right click select properties and click change on 'Opens with' and select AutoCAD DWG Launcher instead of AutoCAD Application.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

Anonymous — Mon, 11 May 2020 15:16:14 GMT

This actually works.

Thanks !

Nick

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:10:21 GMT

thank you, it worked for me.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

Kevin.0rtiz22 — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 15:22:18 GMT

Thanks, man, this is what I've been struggling in silence with for years, and only now I looked for a solution and found it thanks to you.

Re: Autocad opening multiple session every time trying to open a new DWG file

ignacio_rojas_garcia — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 12:48:14 GMT

This worked for me. Thanks!!!!! AutoCAD.r22.DDE is 2018 and AutoCAD.r24.DDE is 2024 version of AutoCAD

You have to change this:

https://www.autodesk.es/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/ESP/Error-Windows-cannot-find-filename-dwg-when-a-DWG-file-is-double-clicked.html

But using the correct version. Just that