How do I set or correct the Windows File Association for a specific version?

Tekla Structural Designer
Not version-specific
Tekla Structural Designer
file association
file opening
file type
Environment
Not environment-specific

Issue

This article describes what do do if you have the following problem or requirement:

  • Structural Designer files open in the wrong version when opened from Windows Explorer or an email.

  • I want to specify the Structural Designer version files will be opened in.


Background

When a file is opened from Windows Explorer or an email, Windows uses the file association for the particular file type to decide which program to open it with.  The file type is determined by the file extension - the characters at the end of a file after its name.  For example a Microsoft Word document has the file type 'doc' or 'docx'.  The file extension is separated from the file name by a period, so this type is often referred to as a .doc ("dot doc").  The Structural Designer file type is .tsmd.

File associations are usually set when a program is installed.  However they are not always set correctly and cannot always be easily set or corrected using the Windows file association controls which are quite basic.

See this Microsoft article for the basic process Change default programs in Windows 10
 

Image
TSD fie association 1.png


What do you do if this does not work?
 

Solution

The required version can be set in the Windows Registry.  Warning!  If you are not familar with the Windows Registry we advise you proceed with caution or seek professional IT assistance.

See the following Microsoft articles for the basic process of making Registry edits:

First establish the location of the Application file (the .exe file) for the Structural Designer version you wish to use. E.g. for version 2019 this is C:\Program Files\Tekla\Structural\Structural Designer 2019\TSD.exe

1. In the Registry Editor, locate the following key and set/ correct the path to TSD.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\TSD.exe\shell\open\command

Ensure you only edit the path - leave other characters unchanged.

Image
TSD fie association 2.png

2. Locate the following key and set/ correct the path to TSD.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\tsmd_auto_file\shell\open\command

Ensure you only edit the path - leave other characters unchanged.

 

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