How to restore file associations for Trados Studio

Any of the following symptoms:

• A file that should open in Trados Studio does not (when double-clicking it in Windows Explorer).
• When double-clicking such a file, Trados Studio opens but the appropriate action does not happen (e.g. when double-clicking a project file, the project is not added to the list of projects).
•  Files that are associated with Trados Studio display with the incorrect icon.

Solution 1: Run a repair installation

NOTE: In case you have multiple versions of Trados Studio installed (e.g. 2021 and 2022), only perform the steps below for the version you want to use as the default application for your projects/files. For example, if you want the projects to be opened with Trados Studio 2022 by default, only repair this version.

1. Open the Control Panel of your computer
2. Go to Programs and Features
3. Select Trados Studio 2024, Trados Studio 2022, Trados Studio 2021, or Trados Studio 2019, or Trados Studio 2017, or Trados Studio 2015
4. Click Repair (or for newer versions, click Uninstall\Change and then Repair)

Solution 2: Restore associations with attached .reg file (only English, German and French operating system)

WARNING: Before continuing, we recommend that you create a backup of your Windows registry (see step 1). Any unwanted changes cannot be undone and may permanently harm your computer. You use the Windows Registry Editor at your own risk..

1. Make a backup of your current registry (click here for more information)
2. Download the zip archive corresponding to your version of Trados Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 or 2022 (you can find the links at the end of this article) and extract it to your local drive
3. Locate the .reg file that corresponds to you operating system version  (see Microsoft KB to determine whether you have a 32 or 64 bit operating system):
   • English operating system, 64 bit: Restore_File_Associations_EN_64-Bit_(Version).reg
   • English operating system, 32 bit: Restore_File_Associations_EN_32-Bit_(Version).reg
   • German operating system, 64 bit: Restore_File_Associations_DE_64-Bit_(Version).reg
   • German operating system, 32 bit: Restore_File_Associations_DE_32-Bit_(Version).reg
   • French operating system, 64 bit: Restore_File_Associations_FR_64-Bit_(Version).reg -  only for 2021 / 2022 versions
   You can also open the .reg files in a text editor to see its contents.
4. Close Trados Studio
5. Double click the .reg file corresponding to your operating system and confirm the security prompt
6. Restart your computer

Solution 3: Registry Cleaner

1. Open the Control Panel
2. Go to Programs and Features
3. Select Trados Studio 2024, Trados Studio 2022, Trados Studio 2021, Trados Studio 2019, Trados Studio 2017 - Remove suite of products, Trados Studio 2015 SR2 - Remove suite of products
4. Click Uninstall
5. Download a registry cleaner (e.g. CCleaner, Important note: CCleaner is not an RWS product. RWS does not guarantee the functionality of this application!).
6. Check and clean up your registry
7. Repeat step 6 until no issues are found in the registry
8. Install Trados Studio

SDL file type associations not set correctly in the registry. This can sometimes happen when during the installation process you are prompted to reboot your computer, but select "No".

Do you still require help?

If this article has not solved your issue or if you require assistance, contact the RWS Support Team:

• For customers holding a support contract:
  1. Log in to the RWS Gateway with your SDL Account.
  2. Click on the blue Log a Case button.
     Note: For detailed instructions, refer to the video tutorial.
• For customers without a support contract: request support through our Web Form for TP Licensing & Installation Issues on https://gateway.sdl.com.