Vista - Adding new programs to Default Programs list

I use AutoCAD software daily at work. Autodesk just recently updated AutoCAD
to work with Vista. Version 2007 worked with Vista, but not well. For one
thing a .dwg file did not open in AutoCAD by double-clicking it. You also
couldn't add AutoCAD to the Default Programs list.
Great thing was, when I installed AutoCAD 2008, that was fixed as well as
all the other issues that 2007 had with Vista.
I was on vacation last week and arriving back at work today, I have found
that AutoCAD is no longer the default for .dwg files. Worse yet, the Default
Programs window will not allow me to add the acad.exe file to the list of
applications to choose from. I click Browse, select the acad.exe file, click
Open, it goes back to the Default Programs window and NOTHING happens. No
error, nothing.
WHAT - THE - HECK???

So, question 1, why did it change the default program?

Question 2, why can't I add AutoCAD to the list?

Thanks,
Matt Tyree

I don't use AutoCAD but I can think of two possible scenarios:

1) Someone messed with your PC while you were on vacation. If so, try System
Restore to a time prior to your vacation.

2) If you are on a network, perhaps the administrators applied a Group
Policy that made the changes. If so, have a chat with your IT department to
work out a fix. You could try a System Restore but if it really was a Group
Policy change it will revert back to the policy settings.

Tim


"Tyree" wrote:

> I use AutoCAD software daily at work. Autodesk just recently updated AutoCAD
> to work with Vista. Version 2007 worked with Vista, but not well. For one
> thing a .dwg file did not open in AutoCAD by double-clicking it. You also
> couldn't add AutoCAD to the Default Programs list.
> Great thing was, when I installed AutoCAD 2008, that was fixed as well as
> all the other issues that 2007 had with Vista.
> I was on vacation last week and arriving back at work today, I have found
> that AutoCAD is no longer the default for .dwg files. Worse yet, the Default
> Programs window will not allow me to add the acad.exe file to the list of
> applications to choose from. I click Browse, select the acad.exe file, click
> Open, it goes back to the Default Programs window and NOTHING happens. No
> error, nothing.
> WHAT - THE - HECK???
>
> So, question 1, why did it change the default program?
>
> Question 2, why can't I add AutoCAD to the list?
>
> Thanks,
> Matt Tyree

Matt,

No idea how it changed that way. But you can do one of these things:

1. Re-register Acad.exe to the Open With dialog
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithadd.htm

2. Remove and reinstall AutoCAD.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Tyree" <Tyree@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7BF19669-1FEF-4018-AE82-412C7BF2978F@microsoft.com...
I use AutoCAD software daily at work. Autodesk just recently updated AutoCAD
to work with Vista. Version 2007 worked with Vista, but not well. For one
thing a .dwg file did not open in AutoCAD by double-clicking it. You also
couldn't add AutoCAD to the Default Programs list.
Great thing was, when I installed AutoCAD 2008, that was fixed as well as
all the other issues that 2007 had with Vista.
I was on vacation last week and arriving back at work today, I have found
that AutoCAD is no longer the default for .dwg files. Worse yet, the Default
Programs window will not allow me to add the acad.exe file to the list of
applications to choose from. I click Browse, select the acad.exe file, click
Open, it goes back to the Default Programs window and NOTHING happens. No
error, nothing.
WHAT - THE - HECK???

So, question 1, why did it change the default program?

Question 2, why can't I add AutoCAD to the list?

Thanks,
Matt Tyree