How to Set AutoCAD 2020 as Default Program?

Steps to Set AutoCAD 2025 as Your Default Program

Setting AutoCAD 2025 as your default program for opening DWG files ensures that whenever you double-click a file, it automatically opens in the correct version of AutoCAD. Follow these detailed instructions to accomplish this on both Windows and Mac operating systems.

For Windows:

1. Access the File Explorer:
   Start by opening File Explorer. You can do this by clicking the folder icon located on your taskbar or using the keyboard shortcut Windows + E.

2. Locate a DWG File:
   Navigate to the folder containing any DWG file on your computer. A DWG file is typically used for AutoCAD drawings.

3. Open the Context Menu:
   Right-click the DWG file to bring up the context menu. If you prefer, you can hold the Shift key and then right-click for additional options.

4. Choose Open With:
   From the menu, hover over the "Open with" option. A submenu will appear.

5. Select Choose Another App:
   Click on "Choose another app" at the bottom of the submenu to open a list of programs.

6. Find AutoCAD 2025:
   In the list of available applications, look for AutoCAD 2025. If it isn’t visible, scroll down and select "More apps" to expand the options, or click “Look for another app on this PC” to manually navigate to the AutoCAD installation folder.

7. Set as Default:
   Once you’ve selected AutoCAD 2025, ensure to check the box labeled "Always use this app to open .dwg files". This set up will make AutoCAD the default program for all future DWG file openings.

8. Confirm Your Selection:
   Click the OK button to confirm and establish AutoCAD as the default application.

For Mac:

1. Open Finder:
   Click on the Finder icon located on your dock. This will take you to your file management system.

2. Find a DWG File:
   Navigate to any directory containing a DWG file. Right-click (or control-click) on the file to open the context menu.

3. Select Get Info:
   From the context menu, select "Get Info". This will open a new window with various file properties.

4. Locate Open With Section:
   In the Get Info window, look for the "Open with:" section. This section allows you to choose the application for opening this file type.

5. Choose AutoCAD 2025:
   Click the drop-down menu to see available applications. Select AutoCAD 2025 from the list. If you do not see it, you may need to browse for it manually.

6. Apply to All:
   After selecting AutoCAD 2025, click the "Change All…" button below the dropdown. A confirmation dialog will pop up.

7. Confirm The Change:
   Click on “Continue” to apply the changes to all files with the same extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if AutoCAD 2025 doesn’t appear in the list of programs?
If AutoCAD 2025 is not showing up in the selection list, you may need to navigate to the installation directory manually. Look for the AutoCAD executable file in the installation folder, usually found in the Program Files or Applications directory.

Can I set multiple versions of AutoCAD as default for different files?
No, you can only set one version of AutoCAD as the default for a specific file type on your operating system. However, you can manually select a different version when opening other DWG files.

Will setting AutoCAD 2025 as default affect other CAD software?
Setting AutoCAD 2025 as the default for DWG files will not affect other CAD applications installed on your computer. Change only applies to the specified file type (.dwg), leaving other programs intact.