Setting default apps when you have multiple versions installed

Steps

1. Open File Explorer and find one file with the extension you want to fix (e.g., a .dwg file).
2. Right-click the file.
3. Hover over Open with.
4. Click Choose another app.
5. Pick the version of the app you want from the list. If you don't see it, click Choose an app on your PC and browse to the .exe (typical paths below).
6. Tick the box that says Always use this app to open .[ext] files.
7. Click OK.

Common .exe paths if the app doesn't appear in the list

• AutoCAD 2025: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\acad.exe
• AutoCAD 2024: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2024\acad.exe
• Civil 3D 2025: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\acad.exe (Civil 3D shares the AutoCAD .exe — pick the right year)
• Revit 2025: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Revit 2025\Revit.exe
• Word (Microsoft 365): C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE
• Bluebeam Revu 21: C:\Program Files\Bluebeam Software\Bluebeam Revu\21\Revu\Revu.exe
• Adobe Acrobat: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\Acrobat.exe

Steps (Windows 11)

1. Press Windows key and type default apps.
2. Click Default apps in the results.
3. Scroll down and click Choose defaults by file type.
4. In the search box at the top, type the extension you want to fix (e.g., .dwg).
5. Click the current default app on the right.
6. Pick the version you want from the popup. Click Set default.
7. Repeat for each extension. Common ones to check together: .dwg, .dwt, .dws, .dxf for AutoCAD; .rvt, .rfa, .rte for Revit; .docx, .doc, .docm for Word.

Steps (Windows 10)

1. Press Windows key and type default apps.
2. Click Default apps in the results.
3. Scroll to the bottom and click Choose default apps by file type.
4. Find the extension in the list (it's alphabetical — slow to scroll for AutoCAD; type quickly while focused on the list to jump).
5. Click the current default and pick the new app.

Steps (Windows 11)

1. Press Windows key and type default apps.
2. Click Default apps.
3. In the search bar at the top, type the app name (e.g., AutoCAD 2025).
4. Click the app in the results.
5. Each extension the app supports is listed. For each one you want changed, click the current default and pick this app instead.
6. Some extensions show a Set default button at the top — click it to apply the new app to every supported extension at once.

Two AutoCAD years installed and the wrong one opens .dwg

This is the most common case. Use Method 2 (by file type) and update .dwg, .dwt, .dws, and .dxf all to the year you want. If you also use Civil 3D, set those to the matching Civil 3D year — Civil 3D installs AutoCAD as part of itself, and the entry in the list is named "AutoCAD Civil 3D 2025" not just "AutoCAD 2025."

Multiple Revit years and .rvt opens the wrong one

Use Method 2 for .rvt, .rfa, .rte, and .rft. Be aware: opening an .rvt in a newer Revit upgrades the file permanently. If you're not sure which year a file was authored in, right-click the .rvt → Properties → Details tab — the Revit Build version is listed.

PDFs open in Edge or Chrome instead of Acrobat or Bluebeam

Use Method 2 for .pdf. Pick Adobe Acrobat or Bluebeam Revu. If the browser is still grabbing PDFs after this, also disable the browser's built-in PDF handler: in Edge, Settings → Downloads → "Always download PDF files" on. In Chrome, Settings → Privacy and security → Site Settings → Additional content settings → PDF documents → "Download PDFs."

Outlook attachments still open in the old Office

Outlook hands off files based on the file association, so fix the extension in Method 2 (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx). If Outlook itself is the wrong version, also reset the default by Method 3: search for "Outlook" and pick the Outlook you want.

Default browser is wrong

Settings → Default apps → search for the browser you want (Edge / Chrome / Firefox) → click Set default at the top. This handles .htm, .html, http, and https in one click in Windows 11.

An installer or update reset it

Most CAD installers offer to "register file types" with their version. Re-running the new installer's Repair, or installing a new year of the same product, can take associations back. Re-apply with Method 2 or 3 after the install finishes.

Group Policy is enforcing a default

Some firms ship a default-apps policy from IT. If your fix reverts after sign-out / sign-in, it's likely policy. Take a screenshot of the wrong default and submit a ticket — IT can adjust the policy or grant an exception.

The app was installed per-user vs. machine-wide

If two installs of the same app exist (one in C:\Program Files and one in %LocalAppData%\Programs), Windows can pick the wrong one. Uninstall whichever is duplicate, then re-set the default.

Send these details

• The exact file extension (e.g., .dwg) and a screenshot of the file in File Explorer.
• What app currently opens it, and what app you want to open it.
• Whether both apps are installed (paste the exact display names from Settings → Apps → Installed apps).
• Whether the wrong default came back after a Windows update or app install.