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ljm15472618
ljm15472618
Participant
October 15, 2018
Answered

Illustrator 2019 - File Type Association (WIN) *Bug*?

  • October 15, 2018
  • 46 replies
  • 21043 views

No matter what I try I cannot change the default file type .ai to always open/be associated with Illustrator 2019.

The files always show up as blank icons and I have to now always right click and 'open with' and choose Illustrator 2019.

Bug with the new updated?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Srishti Bali

This does not work Srishti. There is an inherent fault when you click on the apply button after selection the illustrator.exe file as the default. You see it trying to action but then it just doesn't kick in. The same happens if you go to Windows Default program settings. Try to click on Illustrator 2019 and nothing happens.

Now, Windows has no changed, only Illustrator has, so it is something in the way that Adobe have coded the software registry - it's like it isn't being recognised by Windows as a registered software application within Windows. My guess is someone at Adobe stuffed up the registry process on this latest version.


Hi there,

All the users on this thread have a similar issue but not the same. Every situation here has a different fix.

XD defaulting to AI on Windows

  • Please update to latest version of XD (13.1.32) to resolve the issue.

PS defaulting to AI on MAC

  • Please update to latest version of Illustrator (23.0.1) to solve this issue.

For other issues: Please try these steps to correct general File association errors: How to fix broken file type associations for Creative Cloud apps

If you have tried all of these then please report your issue here: New update CC 2019 (v23) File Association Issue - Windows 10 – Adobe Illustrator Feedback and contact our support team for One-to-One support: Contact Customer Care

Regards,

Srishti

46 replies

Show previous replies
Cyberbob87
Cyberbob87
Participant
October 16, 2018

Also having the same issue. I tried removing XD but I still cannot associate Illustrator 2019 with AI files.

I noticed the unassociated files are listed as 'Adobe.Illustrator.22' in Explorer. This update is version 23, right?

    C
    Cristian Dita
    Participant
    October 16, 2018

    As an update I replicated the issue by trying to edit a Smart Object in Photoshop. Instead of opening Illustrator it asked me what app I'd like to use to open that file, so the association is clearly broken.

    Windows 10 here as well.

      I
      Integra Connect
      Participant
      October 16, 2018

      Same here, tried both solutions. Still not working. XD forcing association to .ai files

      I'm using Windows 10

        bogdanm99912979
        bogdanm99912979
        Participant
        October 16, 2018

        Same problem here. How do you guys manage to screw something up every time you update something is beyond me. Do you do ANY product testing on Windows before release?

          P
          perrybrus
          Inspiring
          November 8, 2018

          I second that. After the cloud service came about I feel like a crash test dummy paying good money to receive hits. Every single time I accept an "update" I keep regretting it. I'm always hoping to see some progress but every time I'm thrown into a pile of dirt by Adobe's lack of customer care. I'm seriously considering leaving.

          M
          matthewa74241156
          Participant
          October 15, 2018

          Same problem. Upgraded to Illustrator 2019 and cannot associate .ai files with Illustrator. Have tried both the registry and file associations suggestions and they do not work.

          If I install Adobe XD on the same machine it takes over the association with .ai files. If I remove Adobe XD then .ai files appear as blank icons.

            Srishti Bali
            Community Manager
            Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
            Community Manager
            October 15, 2018

            Hi there,

            Please try steps mentioned below and share results:

            Solution 1: Use Windows control panel to establish the file association

            This solution uses Illustrator as an example. For any other product, replace that product's filename extension and executable name with the product and file type you are attempting to restore.

            • Choose Start > Control Panel.
            • Double-click Default Programs.
            • Click Associate A File Type.
            • Choose Default apps by File Type.
            • Select .ai from the list.
            • Click application selected in front of it and choose Illustrator 2019
            • If it is not listed there click Browse to locate it and click Open.
            • Ensure that Always Use The Selected Program... option is selected. Click OK to close the Open With dialog box.
            • Double-click the .ai file to ensure that it opens with your preferred version of Illustrator.

            Solution 2: Set a default path in the Registry

            Note: Before trying these steps, please take a backup of your Registry: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/322756/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows

            • Choose Start > Run, type regedit in the Open text field of the Run dialog box, and then click OK to open the Registry Editor.
            • Navigate to the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Adobe Illustrator Artwork 23.0\shell\open\command
            • Make sure that the (Default) value is set for the path where Illustrator is installed.
            • If the path is incorrect, double-click (Default) and type the following text with the quotation marks and "%1"in it:
            • "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CC 2019\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe" "%1"
            • Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Adobe Illustrator Artwork 23.0\shell\edit\command
            • Make sure that the (Default) value is set for the path where Illustrator is installed.
            • If the path is incorrect, double-click (Default) and type the following text with the quotation marks and "%1"in it:
            • "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CC 2019\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe" /e "%1"
            • Right-click the file of the format you want to associate with Illustrator and choose Open With > Choose Default Program.

            Regards,

            Srishti

            juantedin
            juantedin
            Participant
            October 15, 2018

            I have the same problem.

            .AI files are associated with Adobe XD and I can´t change it. When I want to associate them with a different program, Illustrator appears in the list, but if I select it, nothing happens.

            I tried both solutions.

            P.S: In the registry I think that the correct path is "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Adobe.Illustrator.23\shell\..."

              Engholmsen
              Engholmsen
              Participant
              October 18, 2018

              Same here:.ai and .psd files are associated with Adobe XD on (Win10). Can't change the default programm for opening those filetypes.

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