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Participant
October 16, 2018
Answered

My Illustrator files opens as XD files and I can't change it

  • October 16, 2018
  • 36 replies
  • 11916 views

All of my Illustrator files force to open in Adobe XD even after I change the default app for .ai files to Illustrator.

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Correct answer joosdm20559267

Can you (or anyone, really) post step-by-step instructions for changing the registry key for us non-tech-savvy folks? I've been trying to figure out how to do that ever since I saw joosdm20559267's post earlier this morning, with no luck.

Thanks in advance!


JinaF First check wether you have all the newest updates from adobe CC and if you indeed have Illustrator version 23 installed. You can check this in the about info in the help menu

!! Be aware that making the wrong changes trough regedit can be harmful to your Windows installation !!

  • Press start button + R at the same time
  • Type in Regedit and press ok.
  • You will probably get a Yes / No Windows security question > select yes
  • Regedit opens
  • Browse to Computer > HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > .ai
  • Check the entry called: (Default)
  • If it says Adobe.Illustrator.22 you can try changing it by double clicking the entry
  • After you made the changes click ok and close regedit and try clicking an Illustrator file

36 replies

Chaoslizard
Participant
October 16, 2018

Same problem here. Doesn't seem like it should be a tough fix. Hope they can resolve this soon, it pretty annoying!

Participating Frequently
October 16, 2018

I hope that they release 29.1 soon to fix this.....

Participant
October 16, 2018

I went as far as to uninstall XD to see if I could set the default app to Illustrator... it didn't work Without XD installed, i can't even set the default app to open an ai file as illustrator.

Participant
October 16, 2018

Having the same issue with Win 10 (64-bit).

Even tried using the "Choose default apps by file type" settings panel to change it, but it wouldn't. I'd select Adobe Illustrator from the list, it would take a few seconds to try and configure, but then it would be right back on XD.

Participating Frequently
October 16, 2018

I experienced the same result :-(

hh92
Participant
October 16, 2018

I'm having the same issue. I also had problems in Premiere following the update as I couldn't render my sequence. Took me ages to find out it was one tiny transition it didn't like.

Why let an update cause such annoying problems to existing apps!!!!!!!!!!!!

GrafiskWingman
Known Participant
October 16, 2018

I have a similar problem with the new update. Illustrator does not recognize my ai files to be opened with AI.
I tried right-clicking, open with, select another app, "always use this.." - it doesn't work.

I can open them with Illy, but not as default.

Win 10 - 64 bit