New drawings opening in different windows, not tabs. Screenshots inside.

[winstonfoxnelson]

Hi, I'm using AutoCAD 2016 on Windows 10. I'm having a problem whereby new drawings open in different windows (see image "Actual Configuration"), but I'd like them to open in different tabs (see image "Desired Configuration").

I have already set .dwg files to open with AutoCAD DWG Launcher.

The value of SDI is set to zero.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

To Display File Tab, use command FILETAB

If you want to remove file tab - use command FILETABCLOSE

To work command FILETAB, SDI value sets to 0.

It means that you open only one drawing.

[Anonymous]

When we take the screenshot of any videos then it means we save the time and if anyone do not know how to take a screenshot in windows then they should get some information.

[Kevin.Palmer]

Hi @winstonfoxnelson,

You could try is elevating the permissions of AutoCAD and the DWG Launcher:

1. Locate the following two files:
   C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\acad.exe
   C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AcShellEx\AcLauncher.exe
2. Right-click each file and choose Properties and then the Compatibility tab.
3. Toggle the setting "Run this program as an administrator." and then click OK.

If that doesn't resolve it, I would recommend a Reset to Defaults. You can find more information and troubleshooting steps in this article if this doesn't solve the issue.

If one or more of these posts helped answer your question, please click Accept as Solution on the posts that helped you so others in the community can find them easily.

[Anonymous]

What I found is that I do not have to set the taskbar or the SDI. All I do is click on the windows logo in the bottom right hand side select all programs, Select AutoCAD folder and select the AutoCAD application and this launches a new instant of AutoCAD. All I have to do is open the file within that Instant. If I want another instant I repeat the steps above.  I don't go through the File Explorer other wise it will open in the opened AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

Really great. Much appreciated

[radek_capousek]

your comment is not clear on what we should do to make open files as new tabs. Can you please elaborate? 

[pouyanFAXFW]

it worked. Thank you!

[mattKKSX3]

Still relevant in 2025 to opening new files in tabs instead of new instances. 

[CGBenner]

@mattKKSX3 

Hello, just to clarify, are you saying that you tried the solution marked earlier and it is not working for you?

[mattKKSX3]

@CGBenner -

To clarify, I am saying I encountered this problem in 2025 and the "FILETAB" solution fixed the problem vs making all those changes to file permissions and registry. 

[mdFCBCJ]

Thank you Kevin,

This is the solution!

[Ussama_Mousa]

you can solve the problem by right click on any dwg file and chose "open with " then select  "chose another app" then select 

Ussama_Mousa_0-1744207888496.png