Can't Change Default App to Manage

[Hiltscher]

.nwd files are set to open with Freedom by default.  The file name is "Roamer.exe"

I wanted to change it to Manage by default.  The file name is also "Roamer.exe"

Windows 10 doesn't know the difference.  Even when you follow the path to find a different app, Windows believes that since the filename is the same, there was no difference in path.  So, it is still opening with Freedom.

How do I fix this?

I've also noticed that Manage has an additional instruction to the shortcut.  See attached image.

Is this what windows needs in the default?

[Hiltscher · Accepted solution]

OK, I did a little searching online.  Apparently, this is more of a Windows question than AutoDesk.  But Windows has disabled the ability to change this as of Windows 7.

So, let me modify my question now.  Will Autodesk perform the task of simply changing the name of the executable for each of the versions of Navisworks?  (Freedom, Manage, Simulate...)  That way, Windows will go to the desired app.

As it is currently, since they are all the same executable filename, they will all default to Freedom.

[Kelsey.S]

Hi @Hiltscher,

Would it work for you to drag the .NWD file onto the desktop icon program you wish the file to open in? I don't have Windows 7 to be able to test myself. However, I believe that should work.

What version of Navisworks Manage are you using?

Also,  I found these steps for older versions of Navisworks Manage you may like to try (if you haven't already):

To change the default application that opens NWD files apply the steps below:

1. Using Windows Explorer browse to any NWD file in your system
2. Select the NWD file then right click on it
3. From the context menu that appears choose "Open With > Choose default program..."
4. In the "Open with" dialog box, select the Navisworks application icon that you would like the file type to be opened with
5. Make sure the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" option is selected
6. Click on OK

Please mark any posts that help with "Accept as Solution" and thanks.

[Hiltscher]

Dragging...kinda defeats the whole point of what I'm trying to do.

As for the "open with"... yes, that was standard operating procedure.  For some reason Windows does not understand that it is a different app.  I have a couple operating theories.  But I'm not sure which is the answer.

1. Windows does not realize it is a different "target file" because it is the same filename.  Thus it does not change the path to that executable.

2. Because of the additional parameters required for Manage (and the same thing happens with Simulate) it still diverts it to Freedom and will not open Manage.  By "additional parameters" note the properties of the desktop shortcut and look at the "Target".  You'll notice additional text outside the "quoted path".

[Kelsey.S]

Hi @Hiltscher

Thanks for the additional information. Have you tried a clean uninstall and reinstall?

It could also be a registry change that needs to be made.

It's my understanding that generally Autodesk does not recommend opening files directly out of Windows File Explorer, double-clicking on an .nwc, .nwd, or .nwf file. Best practice is to launch Navisworks Manage first. Then open any files from within Navisworks.

Please mark any posts that help with "Accept as Solution" and thanks.

[Hiltscher]

The clean install also does not work.

What I've resorted to is simply not having freedom on my computer at all.  That works in my home office. But when I'm at the main office, there are sometimes license issues that make Freedom necessary.  So, it's not an option there.

It looks like there really is no solution.  I'll keep just dealing with it.  Thanks for trying anyway.  I appreciate the effort.

It really would make a lot more sense if they gave the executable files different names for the different versions.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi. 

There is a solution for this. You have a rename the Roamer.exe for navkswork freedom (i.e. roamer1.exe). Then you change in properties Windows the default app (in this case the roamer.exe located in navkswork manage installation path). 

After all rename the roamer1.exe to Roamer.exe again. 

Let me know if It works for you. 

Thanks. 

[tjzubick]

Thanks for this nice little hack! This is the only thing that worked for me to change the default NW program.

[JoelBradley]

Temporarily renaming the Freedom executable worked for me.  Thanks @Anonymous for posting the workaround!

[bernardo.klosowski]

Thank you very much. It works. 

[yrezaeiEU8ZH]

Awesome; that's the real solution.

[jason_lambLERXX]

Renaming worked, but does it NEED to be renamed back to roamer.exe from roamer1.exe? Just curious if you left it roamer1.exe, would everything still work fine and dandy? I have not renamed it back to roamer.exe and have not heard from the user of any other errors. It appears that the user launches his *.NWD files straight from file explorer hence the need to open directly with the preferred application version. thanks for any feedback or reply.

[aoslos]

I dont know if you "Need to", but I changed it back after I got my desired results. 

I was having this same issue with Navis 2023 and 2022. I wanted it to default to 2023 but it never would. So I renamed Navis 2022's roamer.exe to roamer22.exe
I was then able to select Navis 2023 as my default app for NWCs/NWDs/NWFs. I then went back and renamed Navis 2022's roamer back to its default value. Now I am able to select which version I want to open it with. 

[sagnewYUXLR]

   

 

say to always open with manage 

yet it opens with freedom 

any ideas?