topic Re: Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file in AutoCAD Forum

Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file

tuomas.einamoV2MEV — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:40:58 GMT

Once every year I have to go through this. If I remember correctly, last year I just gave up and uninstalled the older version. This year I am going to get it to work though.

I have 3 versions of AutoCAD installed, 2026, 2026 Architecture and 2027. I want dwg-files to be opened in 2027. Which seems to be an impossible task.

I followed these:

DWG file type associativity in Windows for AutoCAD products

and this Associate DWG files with a specific AutoCAD Product version or DWG TrueView version in Windows

although I am using Windows 11.

None work. Whatever I do, the files are opened in AutoCAD Architecture 2026, when opened through Windows Explorer.

How can I solve this?

Re: Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file

Cadologist — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:16:24 GMT

Hello, sort answer is that you cannot reliably control with AutoCAD-based version of the software is opened when double-clicking a file in Windows Explorer. Typically it will open the 'last-used' AutoCAD version. For this reason, I instruct my staff to first open the desired version of the software, then navigate to the file/open menu (or drag/drop from Windows Explorer) within the software to open the desired file.

Re: Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file

pendean — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:13:45 GMT

@tuomas.einamoV2MEV When you installed and started 2027, which association option did you select? The "leave it as is" is the best approach. Selecting anything else just messes it all up

What you want has never existed, likely never will. Windows will use the last version you opened (that includes DWGTRUEVIEW), not much else. To mitigate the issue it's best to remove all versions you don't want to use.

Autodesk's stance is you need to open the program you want first, then open the DWG file. So it appears they never intend to change that anytime soon.

Also ensure DWG files are set to open with "AUTOCAD DWG LAUNCHER".

Re: Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file

paullimapa — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:50:14 GMT

you can try a solution I provided on this thread:

Solved: Re: Open File issue - Autodesk Community

Re: Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file

tuomas.einamoV2MEV — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:40:41 GMT

@pendean I didn't even register an option like that while installing. Also, Windows didn't open with last version opened. It always opened with AutoCAD 2026 Architecture for me, even if I haven't manually opened it in weeks. This was using AUTOCAD DWG LAUNCHER as the choice.

@paullimapa This did it. Thank you! This should be added to the Autodesk instruction pages instead of the false instructions they have now.

Re: Control which version of AutoCAD opens the file

paullimapa — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:26:16 GMT

You’re welcome…cheers!!!