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Question

File link and Universal: open files directly

  • November 27, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 86 views
P
Captain
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Hi all,

In several applications within our environment, we use File link-domains in the Windows GUI to open files stored on a shared network drive. 
For example DWG drawings, but also PDFs:
 

Drawings that open in AutoCAD / DWG True View

In the Universal GUI this does not work in the same way, because the GUI always downloads the file instead of opening it directly in the default application for the specific file type.

As we move from the Windows GUI to the Universal GUI, I am curious to learn what other customers have done to address this.

5 replies

Mark Jongeling
Administrator
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Hi Patrick,

In most Web applications, any reference to a file will typically result in a download, or previewed if possible like a PDF. After downloading however, you can open the file with the program of your choice.

Some alternatives could be a Copy to clipboard where the user can copy the path to the file to then paste it in their file manager program to find/open it. This is what we do in the Software Factory, for example, when you write the synchronization file to storage.

Perhaps an open link may also work as file://server/folder as this has the potential to open that folder on the given server, but I haven't tried this out. I too am curious about other Community members their solutions to this.

"Wake me up before you low-code"
Remco
Moderator
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  • Remco
  • Moderator
  • December 23, 2025

Hi ​@PatrickW 

Could you please let me know whether Mark’s suggestions are sufficient?

Thank you in advance!

P
Captain
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  • PatrickWCaptain
  • Author
  • January 14, 2026

Hi Patrick,

In most Web applications, any reference to a file will typically result in a download, or previewed if possible like a PDF. After downloading however, you can open the file with the program of your choice.

Some alternatives could be a Copy to clipboard where the user can copy the path to the file to then paste it in their file manager program to find/open it. This is what we do in the Software Factory, for example, when you write the synchronization file to storage.

Perhaps an open link may also work as file://server/folder as this has the potential to open that folder on the given server, but I haven't tried this out. I too am curious about other Community members their solutions to this.

No, your last suggestion doesn't work. Copy to clipboard is also not an efficient solution.
Clicking on a icon that directly opens the preferred application or clicking on a Copy button; open File explorer; paste the link.. A lot more actions for the user.

For our company this could be a dealbreaker when considering a move to the Universal GUI, because we are using this in multiple applications.

Hopefully there will be a solution for this.

S
Moderator
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​@Mark Jongeling Maybe we could come up with a way to use the new Workspace listener in conjunction with the file control? 

Mark Jongeling
Administrator
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​@Mark Jongeling Maybe we could come up with a way to use the new Workspace listener in conjunction with the file control? 

Sounds good to me 😄

"Wake me up before you low-code"
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