Wrong or Older Version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD Opens When You Double-Click a DWG File (Reset Drawing File Type)

Issue

Double-clicking a DWG file launches the wrong version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD, or you need to reset your drawing file type.

Cause

You should be using the AutoCAD DWG Launcher as the default for opening DWG files.

If you are in fact using it, the DWG Launcher should launch the latest version of CAD installed on your computer. If you're configured to use the AutoCAD DWG Launcher and it's still launching the wrong version of CAD, you'll need to make some changes to the Registry files.

Solution

1. Verify that you've followed our steps to set the AutoCAD DWG Launcher to open your files using the latest version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD.

Are files still opening in the wrong version? Move on to Step 2.

2. Download the DWG File Type Reset reg file, linked below.

3. Locate the file dwg_filetype_reset.zip, which you just downloaded, and double-click it to extract it.

 

Then run (double-click) the resulting dwg_filetype_reset.reg file to apply the changes.

4. Restart your computer.

5. Repeat Step 1: Set the AutoCAD DWG Launcher to open your files using the latest version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD

It's necessary to repeat this step because the DWG File Type Reset file will have removed the default setting.

Still having the issue?

If you have to enter admin credentials to make changes to your computer, you'll need to take the following steps:

1. Run the Registry Editor as an administrator.

 

2. Enter your credentials.

 

3. Still in the Registry Editor, select Import from the File menu, then browse to the extracted file.