topic Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files in Revit Architecture Forum

Unable to open downloaded rfa files

donna_kronenberger — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 19:39:35 GMT

I have Revit 2019 student version. Today I attempted to download Revit 2018. The download failed. Afterwards, I am no longer able to open my downloaded rfa files and the icon looks different (just white now). A pop up window appears asking " How do you want to open this files"? How do I repair this? This is an image of my screen. Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

barthbradley — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 19:43:22 GMT

...add the .rfa extension to the name?

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 19:47:15 GMT

Windows issue, not Revit.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/18539/windows-7-change-default-programs

As for your download of Revit 2018...get it from ava.autodesk.com and download by browser not the Download Now so you can separate the download parts.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

donna_kronenberger — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 19:49:03 GMT

Thanks for replying quickly. I just tried your suggestion and it did not work. This only happened after a failed attempt at downloading 2018. I not sure if a registry or a files was deleted or changed....

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

donna_kronenberger — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 20:00:33 GMT

I think we are getting somewhere. I opened by default programs, in the files extension is show "unkown application" for my rfa, rft, rte, rvt files. Do you know the correct default application for each? Thanks!

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 20:13:29 GMT

Revit for all of them.

Your 2019 still works right?

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

donna_kronenberger — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 20:29:09 GMT

Yes

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

Corsten.Au — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 13:59:21 GMT

Just change the extensions of files..

Please keep in mind there are three REVIT extensions for different types of files...and

you cannot mix them up..

1. * rfa Revit Family

2. *. rvt Revit File

3. *.rte Revit Template file

From the screen shot, seems most of the files are rfa... but if some file is still giving problem

then do try rvt, or rte..

Best luck.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

donna_kronenberger — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 15:41:20 GMT

I am attaching a screenshot of my default programs. What should the 'unknown application' be for rfa, rvt, and rte?

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 15:58:22 GMT

@Corsten.Au, I doubt all the file extensions are removed.... Hide Extensions for known file types is most likely checked in the File Explorer Options.

@donna_kronenberger, associate all the files with Revit. You may have to adjust the path to the current location of your operational Revit. Windows is probably still looking at your installation that failed and thinking it is not anywhere else.

BTW....you should get in a habit of opening Revit Projects from Revit and not from File Explorer.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

barthbradley — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 16:14:58 GMT

@donna_kronenberger: RTE is a Revit Project Template, so the association is same as the Revit File extensions you have for RVT, RFT, and RFA.

But, I think the issue is related to your install sequence. You say that you installed 2019 and 2018; in that order. I think this may go beyond file extensions. I think your registry may need fixing as well. My suggestion is to do a clean uninstall of both versions and then re-install them sequentially.

Here's one link to guide you. There are several other AKN articles on-line that describe the step-by-step procedures for doing a "clean uninstall".

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-Complete-a-Clean-Install-and-Uninstall-of-Revit-products.html

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 20:42:03 GMT

With 2019 failing and Windows not knowing that it can go back to 2018....agreeing with @barthbradley...your registry might be hosed and needs some TLC.

Sometimes a system has to be installed from scratch if there are too many issues.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

aRcHiTeCt.JM — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 20:52:10 GMT

.... before you reinstall everything try to reset windows apps first

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-reset-apps-windows-10-so-they-start-working-again

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

aRcHiTeCt.JM — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:03:09 GMT

.... after those apps working again

... go to windows explorer

... open with

... and choose REVIT again

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

barthbradley — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:17:38 GMT

@donna_kronenberger: I'd be curious to know if @aRcHiTeCt.JM's solution works for you. I thought it was specifically for Windows Store Apps. Live and learn.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

barthbradley — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 01:31:29 GMT

@aRcHiTeCt.JM wrote:
.... before you reinstall everything try to reset windows apps first

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-reset-apps-windows-10-so-they-start-working-again

I just looked into this Windows 10 utility that you referenced above. The utility only repairs Apps. It doesn’t repair Programs. The most this utility can do with Programs, is uninstall them. I wouldn’t use this utility to uninstall Revit, or any Autodesk program. But, thanks for pointing it out all the same, @aRcHiTeCt.JM. Good stuff to know.

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 15:30:53 GMT

@aRcHiTeCt.JM wrote:
.... after those apps working again
... go to windows explorer
... open with
... and choose REVIT again

You realize this is the same instructions as my post #3 from Microsoft...just with pictures?

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

aRcHiTeCt.JM — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 15:36:06 GMT

... no , I did not

Re: Unable to open downloaded rfa files

aRcHiTeCt.JM — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 15:37:19 GMT

.... and if so ... mine looks better ...