All my Illustrator files are showing as PDF!

[rjd38150240]

I installed the latest update, and now EVERY AI file I have on my computer (going back years) shows with a PDF icon (I'm on PC, BTW).

I know that sometimes an individual file can be corrupted and default to a PDF, but I'm talking about files I have never opened with this new version of Illustrator!  I'm afraid to open any of my old files for fear of corrupting them!

Is this an Illustrator error or some kind of virus?  Any ideas?

UPDATE: I uninstalled Illustrator and Acrobat, reinstalled (Illustrator first), then restarted my computer.  All of my AI files show an Acrobat icon.  Whn you hover over the filename, it says it's an AI file, but when you open it, it opens in Acrobat!!

[rjd38150240 · Accepted solution]

OK, I accidentally solved the problem myself.  I chose one AI file on my desktop with the Acrobat icon and opened the "Properties" dialog.  I changed the "Opens With" option to "Adobe Illustrator", and it reset every AI file on my computer to open with AI, and all the icons changed back to AI icons.

I'm leaving this post up, just in case anyone else encounters the same problem.  Thanks!

[tromboniator]

Thanks for posting your solution. Someone else WILL encounter this problem!

Peter

[jane-e]

Hi

Yes, that's the correct way. Your computer associates the extension with a specific application. If you need to change the association to a different application, the method is:

• Windows: File Explorer > Open With
• Mac: Finder > Get Info

And be sure to say for all files, not just the one.

I'm glad you found it and solved your issue. It comes up in these forums from time to time.

~ Jane

[kelleyh90799612]

Thanks for this info! I had the same problem and this fxed it!!

[Debkem13]

This was perfect, thank you!

[Jack35063200xdei]

Hello! I have recently come across this issue with AI files for logos our vendor sent, we accidentally clicked "always" open with Adobe as we were just rying to view the file. We tried the option you've listed but do not have AI installed, is there a way around this to revert back to AI as it is forcing to select an option if not Adobe Acrobat?

[Monika Gause]

If you do not have Illustrator, then you would have to paste the icon graphic into the file (if that is possible on your operating system at all).

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Jack35063200xdei,

Thanks for reaching out. Would you mind checking the File Type for the exported file by enabling the option to show file extensions (Windows / macOS)? If it shows up as a ".AI," then kindly try changing the file association for the AI file type (Windows / macOS) to Illustrator and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav