Help! I get a message that

'Windows cannot open this file.'

This occurs when you double-click on a design to open it, and your computer doesn't know which software program to use to open the design.

Your computer runs different software programs. When you double click on a file, your computer recognizes that as a command to open the file. Your computer checks the extension (.hus, .dst, .zip, etc.) and then looks for a program to use to open the design.

If there is not a program associated with the extension, your computer will say, "Hey, I don't know which program to use to open this. Tell me which one." And that is translated to the statement "Windows cannot open this file" or "Not a valid Win32 Association" or other such lingo.

There are two ways to avoid this error message.

1.  First, instead of double-clicking on a design to open it, open it with your embroidery software. The example below uses Embird but you can apply the same principles using your software.

Open your embroidery software. You might have software like Buzz Tools, Embird, PE-Design, Customizer, Editor, Palette, PSW, etc.

In your embroidery software, choose 'file' and 'open.' (These steps will vary depending on which software program you have -- refer to the instruction manual).

Direct the software to open the design.

2.  Or, create a 'file association.'

To do this, right click on a design. Choose 'open with' and then 'choose program.' (These menu options may change depending on which version of Windows you are using.)

Select your embroidery software, and then check the box that says 'always use the selected program to open this type of file.'

Remember: If you want to open embroidery designs on your computer, you need an embroidery software program installed on your computer. Only open embroidery designs with an embroidery software program.  Do not open designs with Adobe, Word, or any other non-embroidery program.