Why does SOLIDWORKS crash when searching PDM?

If you use the File>Open>Browse method to search PDM from inside SOLIDWORKS and it crashes when you select a file from the vault you may have an issue with your file associations.

File associations exist so Windows can identify the default application when you try to open a file. Several things can cause file associations to changs like version upgrades and the installation of other software. It is easy to identify when you know what to look for.

The two most common indicators that a file association has changed are the file’s icons and the file type listed in the “type column” are not correct.

The image below was taken from QA00000125463 and shows what a user would see in the vault. It is important to note not all users will find both the icons and file type wrong, sometimes it may only be one or the other.

Resolving this issue is easy but you will need administrative rights on the system.

1. With SOLIDWORKS closed, launch the program by right clicking and selecting “Run as         administrator”.
2.  Navigate to Tools>Options>System Options>General in SOLIDWORKS and select "Restore  File Associations", then select "OK".3. Reboot.

Now when you view files in PDM the icons and file types should be correct.  You will be able to open a file from within SOLIDWORKS without crashing when you search PDM .