Problem opening .dwg files from Windows File Explorer into Inventor.

[RIPBillyMays]

I have Inventor Professional 2024.

I want to be able to open our drawings from file explorer, rather than from the inventor instance every time. Our paper space drawings we make are .dwg files. In File Explorer, I right clicked one of the files and went into properties. Then, where it says "Opens with:" I changed the default application to inventor. However, when I try to open .dwg files from File Explorer, Inventor opens up an entire new instance and puts the drawing there, instead of the drawing opening into the instance I already have open - as a tab.

It should be noted that when I open our 3D part files, which are .ipt files, they open properly as a new tab in the inventor instance I already have open. It's only our 2D .dwg drawing I have this problem with.

[Gabriel_Watson · Accepted solution]

For DWG extension files, simply right-click a file in Windows Explorer and set to always open with AutoCAD DWG Launcher. If that doesn't work you may have to alter the registry as per the article below:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Openi...

[RIPBillyMays]

Switching to the AutoCAD DWG Launcher was the solution. The fact that it works differently if you set the default app to the inventor.exe seems janky to me. That was never an issue when working with 2D AutoCAD applications.

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/DWG-file-type-asso...
This article explains it better. It is the one referenced in the article you posted. Thanks for the reply.

[bradeneuropeArthur]

When I select the file to be opened with the default "Inventor 2025" and not the "dwg launcher" Windows explorer crashes every time.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Aurthur,

This could also be related to Inventor 2025 not properly registered (or installed). Go to CMD and type in the following command.

"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2025\Bin\Inventor.exe" /install

After that, does it work better now?

Many thanks!

[bradeneuropeArthur]

Thanks @johnsonshiue Also these steps I have tried already but with no success. Still appreciate your support on this.