Warning: "The Following Shortcuts in the Search Were Invalid and Ignored" / Open Multiple Drawings in Same Window (Opening a Drawing File)

Issue

When opening a drawing file, you received the following error message: Warning: "The following shortcuts in the search were invalid and ignored."

In addition, you may be attempting to open multiple drawing files in the same window, but AutoCAD is not allowing you to do so.

Cause

Your installation may be attempting to open the file in a previous version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD that is no longer installed on your computer.

Solution

1. Follow our instructions to open and edit Registration Keys (Reg Keys).

2. Navigate to the following location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DwgCommon\shellex\apps\{F29F85E0-4FF9-1068-AB91-08002B27B3D9}:AutoCAD

3. Edit the following keys so they point to your correct year version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD:

• "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD (Your Year Version)\acad.exe" "%1" – example: "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015\acad.exe" "%1" if you have AutoCAD 2015

• "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD (Your Year Version)\acad.exe"/print "%1" – example: "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015\acad.exe" /print "%1" if you have AutoCAD 2015

4. Save and close your edits. You should now be able to open multiple drawings in the same window without seeing the error.