How to disable CAD files after you install Visio 2003 Service Pack 3 or Visio 2007 Service Pack 2

Article ID: 938803 - View products that this article applies to.
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ )
How to back up and restore the registry in Windows
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INTRODUCTION

This article describes how to disable CAD .dwg files after you install Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 3 (SP3) or Microsoft Office Visio 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2). The solution also applies to Visio 2010 and Visio 2013, and no Service Pack is required for these versions.
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Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

After you install Visio 2003 SP3 or Microsoft Office Visio 2007 SP2, you can disable the use of .dwg files in Visio 2003 and higher. You may want to disable .dwg files in Visio to improve the security of Visio files.

When you disable .dwg files, the following behavior occurs:
  • AutoCAD Drawing (*.dwg; *.dxf) does not appear in the Files of type box in the Open dialog box
  • CAD Drawing is disabled on the Insert menu.
  • When you open a Visio file that contains a CAD object, the CAD object appears as a empty container. The ActiveX control on the CAD object is disabled.
  • AutoCAD Drawing (*.dwg; *.dxf) does not appear in the Files of type box in the Save As dialog box.
  • Convert CAD Drawings is disabled when you point to Add-ons on the Tools menu.
  • Convert CAD Library is disabled when you point to Add-ons on the Tools menu.
To disable .dwg files, follow these steps:
  1. Exit Visio.
  2. Start Registry Editor. To do this, use one of the following methods:
    • In Windows Vista, click Start
      Collapse this imageExpand this image
      the Start button
      , type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

      Collapse this imageExpand this image
      User Account Control permission
      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
    • In Microsoft Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following registry key:
    • Visio 2013: 
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Visio\Application
    • Visio 2010: 
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Visio\Application
    • Visio 2007: 
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Visio\Application
    • Visio 2003: 
    • HKEY_CURRENT_User\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Visio\Application
  4. After you click the key that is specified in step 3, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
  5. Type DisableDWG, and then press ENTER.
  6. Right-click DisableDWG, and then click Modify.
  7. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
  8. On the File menu, click Exit to exit Registry Editor.
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
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Note This is a "FAST PUBLISH" article created directly from within the Microsoft support organization. The information contained herein is provided as-is in response to emerging issues. As a result of the speed in making it available, the materials may include typographical errors and may be revised at any time without notice. See Terms of Use
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=151500)
for other considerations.
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Properties

Article ID: 938803 - Last Review: February 15, 2013 - Revision: 3.0
Applies to
  • Microsoft Visio Professional 2013
  • Microsoft Visio Standard 2013
  • Microsoft Visio Professional 2010
  • Microsoft Visio Standard 2010
  • Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2007
  • Microsoft Office Visio Standard 2007
  • Microsoft Office Visio 2003 Service Pack 3, when used with:
    • Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2003
Keywords: 
kbregistry kbupdateissue kbexpertiseinter kbhowto KB938803
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