Get Complete Guide to Open AAE Files on Windows?

Did you get this error while opening a file on your Windows 10/8/7? “Windows could not open this file: File: [Filename].aae To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select from a list of programs that are installed on your computer.”

Yes, the error message that came in front of you appears when all applications associated with file extension are not installed or configured properly in Windows 10/8/7. So, if you also get this error while opening aae files then this post will help you to open it without any problem.

What are AAE Files?

AAD file is actually an Adobe After Effects Project file. It contains information about the composition, animation key-frames and various other parameters used in an After effects project.

What can Cause this Error?

If you are unable to open AAE files on your Windows PC then there might be several reasons:

The file association error can be caused, if any application that opens aAE files is not installed or configured properly. In such scenario, “Windows could not open this file” error appears as Windows fails to find the correct program associated with aAE files to open it. So, you must install that application again on your computer.

If you are running a third-party security application then it might also prevent opening of files. You can either disable or uninstall that software to fix this problem.

The file could be damaged, infected with virus or malware. Scan your computer with updated antivirus to resolve this issue.

How to Fix Windows cannot open this file Error?

If you are unable to open aAE files on your windows PC or if windows pops up error message “Windows could not open this file” when you try to open aAE files, then follow these steps:

Step 1: Automatically Fix the Problem from Windows.

After following the above step 1, now run the file again and check if the error reappears. If error still appears, move to next step.

Step 2: Manually Fix the Problem from Windows

a) Click on Start button and then click on Control Panel.

b) Double-click on File Associations option in Control Panel window.

c) Click on Advanced tab on top of the window.

d) Scroll down to find out .aae extension files in “Associations” screen and then click on it.

e) Click Edit menu on top of the File Associations Window. Now click on Copy button to copy open with information for this file extension, which will automatically appear on the right side.

f) Press Apply button and then OK to save changes made.

g) Now, go to the folder where you want to fix this issue. Right click on an aAE file and select Open With option from drop down list – Windows will open File Type dialog box – press Browse option – Navigate to previously copied Open With information and then press OK – This will work only if the problem is caused due to wrong file associations.

h) If you still unable to open aAE files on your PC after fixing the above issue, then click on Save button and save this file with .zip extension instead of .aae format. Extract all the files from .zip archive. Now delete all the extension’s files except one with .aae file extension. Rename the remaining file to original extension i.e., .aae

Now, try to open this new AAE file on your Windows PC. If you are still not able to solve this issue then scan your computer with updated antivirus utility. Hope you get fix “aae file could not open this file” error with ease after applying above mentioned steps.