Smart notebook ".notebook" files open in chrome instead of Smart notebook.

[d.sullivan]

At my workplace, we use Smart notebook for teaching, and google drive to store the .notebook files Smart notebook creates . This seems to cause a strange bug when opening the smart notebook files,  whenever i try to open a smart notebook file (both clicking on the file itself, and using File >Open) it will open google chrome and download the notebook file, instead of opening in Smart notebook.

 

The only way i can temporarly fix this, is to uninstall and  reinstall smart notebook, then it will open as it should, but as soon as i restart the PC, it reverts back to opening in chrome and downloading again, i've ensured that all smart notebook files have smart notebook as the defualt application.

 

I I've only noticed this issue occur on Windows 11 devices, i dont recall this ever happening on Windows 10. The same thing happens on our other devices, it's the latest version of smart notebook, as well as the latest version of windows 11.. 

 

Has anyone expierienced else expirienced this? 

 

 

 

. 

[kidpressingbuttons]

having the exact same here- are you also running the latest smart notebook?

 

 

[Koldov]

Could be way off here, but...

 

Are these files still definitely 100% Smart .notebook files?

 

I only ask as I recently read about uploading files to Google Drive and a setting where Google Drive automatically converts them into a compatible Google/Chrome type format.

 

There's also this:

 

To set up Chrome to automatically open certain downloaded files from Google Drive, first download a file of that type from Drive, then locate it in Chrome's download bar at the bottom of the screen. Click the small arrow next to the file name, and select "Always open files of this type" from the menu that appears. Chrome will remember this preference and automatically open similar files from that point forward. 

 

Which is a Chrome setting for opening file types not a Windows setting. It doesn't really answer your question as you are also downloading the file and then opening it from within Windows, but there may be a link in there somewhere...?

Edited September 17, 2025 by Koldov

[5nowman]

7 minutes ago, Koldov said:

Could be way off here, but...

 

Are these files still definitely 100% Smart .notebook files?

 

I only ask as I recently read about uploading files to Google Drive and a setting where Google Drive automatically converts them into a compatible Google/Chrome type format.

 

There's also this:

 

To set up Chrome to automatically open certain downloaded files from Google Drive, first download a file of that type from Drive, then locate it in Chrome's download bar at the bottom of the screen. Click the small arrow next to the file name, and select "Always open files of this type" from the menu that appears. Chrome will remember this preference and automatically open similar files from that point forward. 

 

Which is a Chrome setting for opening file types not a Windows setting. It doesn't really answer your question as you are also downloading the file and then opening it from within Windows, but there may be a link in there somewhere...?

 

I read about .notebook opening in drive.

 

This is not it.

 

the main exe of smartnotebook opens in chrome.

.notebook files open in chrome yet they are not assocaited with it.

 

crazy crazy issue

On 15/09/2025 at 15:44, d.sullivan said:

At my workplace, we use Smart notebook for teaching, and google drive to store the .notebook files Smart notebook creates . This seems to cause a strange bug when opening the smart notebook files,  whenever i try to open a smart notebook file (both clicking on the file itself, and using File >Open) it will open google chrome and download the notebook file, instead of opening in Smart notebook.

 

The only way i can temporarly fix this, is to uninstall and  reinstall smart notebook, then it will open as it should, but as soon as i restart the PC, it reverts back to opening in chrome and downloading again, i've ensured that all smart notebook files have smart notebook as the defualt application.

 

I I've only noticed this issue occur on Windows 11 devices, i dont recall this ever happening on Windows 10. The same thing happens on our other devices, it's the latest version of smart notebook, as well as the latest version of windows 11.. 

 

Has anyone expierienced else expirienced this? 

 

 

 

. 

 

[d.sullivan]

Smart have responed with this:  (copied via my emailm it looks strangei know) 

 

This is an issue we have been investigating. While we don't have a hard fix in place yet, I do have a workaround I can suggest. Please follow the instructions below to adjust the file association.

Open your Default App settings as per the instructions in<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uwRqmP6NgVC34RjBJOjIgsYJX6KwpXaFu5iYn7UmxDdiNS3QFbo2b-2BwS8ULjb7COmhTDdQtrOsGeHVkPmCbveY92Bldd8l-2BfQOYcQRxvTEXUJjGXKZxMvrJPSQDGWD4g0vQpAQa14lYUSpEbU6NByPEXVIF17dTSPvCSI-2BPKrfjkGk5kvoajr-2F3R-2Flbh1MBE2ae9DrJiUREEUDu508OjRps-3DG-dW_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd5VmezobuH3MXVWxWcaSjD3Eib76BuuM0Ku2-2BfEtSUSl3TO9W2vCZdUgpvWeXQBENpN86Um-2BuoA-2FYg4ZSyZC-2BHcH9Z-2BbXxQU6BHYLhvBKa12IhwgYAGZyL2cZQ240sf9U4A-2BFUJQYBRqC0vzHGqYGGM-3D&c=E,1,EhHb2swuyKnGPZIf5oj8GwLScwisNYUG9nGAuXmCvTUofMJXjxKrmt8pCdogkWzp3IoGOYtmmk_xtpnZ738TFjqfW8W-vGKK46hYPun0zg,,&typo=1>
4. this<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uwRqmP6NgVC34RjBJOjIgsYJX6KwpXaFu5iYn7UmxDdiNS3QFbo2b-2BwS8ULjb7COmhTDdQtrOsGeHVkPmCbveY92Bldd8l-2BfQOYcQRxvTEXUJjGXKZxMvrJPSQDGWD4g0vQpAQa14lYUSpEbU6NByPEXVIF17dTSPvCSI-2BPKrfjkGk5kvoajr-2F3R-2Flbh1MBE2ae9DrJiUREEUDu508OjRps-3DG-dW_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd5VmezobuH3MXVWxWcaSjD3Eib76BuuM0Ku2-2BfEtSUSl3TO9W2vCZdUgpvWeXQBENpN86Um-2BuoA-2FYg4ZSyZC-2BHcH9Z-2BbXxQU6BHYLhvBKa12IhwgYAGZyL2cZQ240sf9U4A-2BFUJQYBRqC0vzHGqYGGM-3D&c=E,1,EhHb2swuyKnGPZIf5oj8GwLScwisNYUG9nGAuXmCvTUofMJXjxKrmt8pCdogkWzp3IoGOYtmmk_xtpnZ738TFjqfW8W-vGKK46hYPun0zg,,&typo=1>
5. link<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uwRqmP6NgVC34RjBJOjIgsYJX6KwpXaFu5iYn7UmxDdiNS3QFbo2b-2BwS8ULjb7COmhTDdQtrOsGeHVkPmCbveY92Bldd8l-2BfQOYcQRxvTEXUJjGXKZxMvrJPSQDGWD4g0vQpAQa14lYUSpEbU6NByPEXVIF17dTSPvCSI-2BPKrfjkGk5kvoajr-2F3R-2Flbh1MBE2ae9DrJiUREEUDu508OjRps-3DG-dW_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd5VmezobuH3MXVWxWcaSjD3Eib76BuuM0Ku2-2BfEtSUSl3TO9W2vCZdUgpvWeXQBENpN86Um-2BuoA-2FYg4ZSyZC-2BHcH9Z-2BbXxQU6BHYLhvBKa12IhwgYAGZyL2cZQ240sf9U4A-2BFUJQYBRqC0vzHGqYGGM-3D&c=E,1,EhHb2swuyKnGPZIf5oj8GwLScwisNYUG9nGAuXmCvTUofMJXjxKrmt8pCdogkWzp3IoGOYtmmk_xtpnZ738TFjqfW8W-vGKK46hYPun0zg,,&typo=1>.
6.
7.
8. In
9. the search box for file type, type ".notebook" (screenshot1). This will display "LaunchNotebook" as the program, click on this box to change this.
10.
11.
12. In
13. the box that pops up, scroll down and select "Choose an app on this PC" (screenshot2)
14.
15.
16. This
17. will open a file browser; navigate to C:\Program
18. Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\ (screenshot3)
19.
20.
21. Scroll
22. down in this folder and select "Notebook.exe" and click Open (again: screenshot3)
23.
24.
25. This
26. will return you to the box shown in screenshot2, ensure Notebook is selected and click "Set Default".
27.

If this resolves the issue or not, please reach out and let us know. Additionally I would like to request an environment dump that you can generate using the instructions here<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uzusIfP55RjYovmYD-2B9dCMIZYRraMuHaSocP7F2eHmOzKYUYgjah24aiK-2Bunsj-2BOS26dP1Bh-2FRd8BE6IItFa2aHJtMT1-2FuIOlmv0Psig-2FMABnBPUzLpXBiXVAuYa5QtpnzBAr1yNfnu06p01ffXUpT7rHgrZd-2B8e8ptzBH6GoMXKpDGX6pWCG0soGjp9L-2FZQr0t7UrXieF7IS9YqGAcxcSM-3DULkD_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd9xfFgMSI0lKD5cc-2FtPPLUOrRhmM82PZTjVKeZGjceURpc2Nlpc1ZJxCL7zIptK8-2FE-2BNY0BP4bvlzhbWpsjFvSoZLcFcECDpGAAXmYAEGqQfqSgxjjHldHS5uQGgyw7KwwtS0nRFHSE-2F3Fzp07bGOkI-3D&c=E,1,t_q3aN8O-2EXFusqkIYAhJ_WP358mpVplYqooF7EXUpY52y_Z-K0nKl-MHMwHMcsSzQhNCie2-4I9UJqSZJHdw_MPXzD-rV79IlWcKyP1BlZ&typo=1> as this will aid in our investigation."

 

This fixes the issue, until the machine restarts, then it reverts to normal (The defaults have saved, so it still says “Notebook.exe” but still opens in chrome, after the machine restarts.
 

Will send them an "environmet dump" tomorrow and wait for an update. 

 

Edited September 17, 2025 by d.sullivan
needed to seprate emal sent from my message

[5nowman]

1 minute ago, d.sullivan said:

Smart have responed with this:  (copied via my emailm it looks strangei know) 

 

This is an issue we have been investigating. While we don't have a hard fix in place yet, I do have a workaround I can suggest. Please follow the instructions below to adjust the file association.

Open your Default App settings as per the instructions in<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uwRqmP6NgVC34RjBJOjIgsYJX6KwpXaFu5iYn7UmxDdiNS3QFbo2b-2BwS8ULjb7COmhTDdQtrOsGeHVkPmCbveY92Bldd8l-2BfQOYcQRxvTEXUJjGXKZxMvrJPSQDGWD4g0vQpAQa14lYUSpEbU6NByPEXVIF17dTSPvCSI-2BPKrfjkGk5kvoajr-2F3R-2Flbh1MBE2ae9DrJiUREEUDu508OjRps-3DG-dW_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd5VmezobuH3MXVWxWcaSjD3Eib76BuuM0Ku2-2BfEtSUSl3TO9W2vCZdUgpvWeXQBENpN86Um-2BuoA-2FYg4ZSyZC-2BHcH9Z-2BbXxQU6BHYLhvBKa12IhwgYAGZyL2cZQ240sf9U4A-2BFUJQYBRqC0vzHGqYGGM-3D&c=E,1,EhHb2swuyKnGPZIf5oj8GwLScwisNYUG9nGAuXmCvTUofMJXjxKrmt8pCdogkWzp3IoGOYtmmk_xtpnZ738TFjqfW8W-vGKK46hYPun0zg,,&typo=1>
4. this<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uwRqmP6NgVC34RjBJOjIgsYJX6KwpXaFu5iYn7UmxDdiNS3QFbo2b-2BwS8ULjb7COmhTDdQtrOsGeHVkPmCbveY92Bldd8l-2BfQOYcQRxvTEXUJjGXKZxMvrJPSQDGWD4g0vQpAQa14lYUSpEbU6NByPEXVIF17dTSPvCSI-2BPKrfjkGk5kvoajr-2F3R-2Flbh1MBE2ae9DrJiUREEUDu508OjRps-3DG-dW_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd5VmezobuH3MXVWxWcaSjD3Eib76BuuM0Ku2-2BfEtSUSl3TO9W2vCZdUgpvWeXQBENpN86Um-2BuoA-2FYg4ZSyZC-2BHcH9Z-2BbXxQU6BHYLhvBKa12IhwgYAGZyL2cZQ240sf9U4A-2BFUJQYBRqC0vzHGqYGGM-3D&c=E,1,EhHb2swuyKnGPZIf5oj8GwLScwisNYUG9nGAuXmCvTUofMJXjxKrmt8pCdogkWzp3IoGOYtmmk_xtpnZ738TFjqfW8W-vGKK46hYPun0zg,,&typo=1>
5. link<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uwRqmP6NgVC34RjBJOjIgsYJX6KwpXaFu5iYn7UmxDdiNS3QFbo2b-2BwS8ULjb7COmhTDdQtrOsGeHVkPmCbveY92Bldd8l-2BfQOYcQRxvTEXUJjGXKZxMvrJPSQDGWD4g0vQpAQa14lYUSpEbU6NByPEXVIF17dTSPvCSI-2BPKrfjkGk5kvoajr-2F3R-2Flbh1MBE2ae9DrJiUREEUDu508OjRps-3DG-dW_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd5VmezobuH3MXVWxWcaSjD3Eib76BuuM0Ku2-2BfEtSUSl3TO9W2vCZdUgpvWeXQBENpN86Um-2BuoA-2FYg4ZSyZC-2BHcH9Z-2BbXxQU6BHYLhvBKa12IhwgYAGZyL2cZQ240sf9U4A-2BFUJQYBRqC0vzHGqYGGM-3D&c=E,1,EhHb2swuyKnGPZIf5oj8GwLScwisNYUG9nGAuXmCvTUofMJXjxKrmt8pCdogkWzp3IoGOYtmmk_xtpnZ738TFjqfW8W-vGKK46hYPun0zg,,&typo=1>.
6.
7.
8. In
9. the search box for file type, type ".notebook" (screenshot1). This will display "LaunchNotebook" as the program, click on this box to change this.
10.
11.
12. In
13. the box that pops up, scroll down and select "Choose an app on this PC" (screenshot2)
14.
15.
16. This
17. will open a file browser; navigate to C:\Program
18. Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\ (screenshot3)
19.
20.
21. Scroll
22. down in this folder and select "Notebook.exe" and click Open (again: screenshot3)
23.
24.
25. This
26. will return you to the box shown in screenshot2, ensure Notebook is selected and click "Set Default".
27.

If this resolves the issue or not, please reach out and let us know. Additionally I would like to request an environment dump that you can generate using the instructions here<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fu10065563.ct.sendgrid.net%2fls%2fclick%3fupn%3du001.oQ0YHvV-2BYT62C1Dhflf3uzusIfP55RjYovmYD-2B9dCMIZYRraMuHaSocP7F2eHmOzKYUYgjah24aiK-2Bunsj-2BOS26dP1Bh-2FRd8BE6IItFa2aHJtMT1-2FuIOlmv0Psig-2FMABnBPUzLpXBiXVAuYa5QtpnzBAr1yNfnu06p01ffXUpT7rHgrZd-2B8e8ptzBH6GoMXKpDGX6pWCG0soGjp9L-2FZQr0t7UrXieF7IS9YqGAcxcSM-3DULkD_O87AO16B0lNC09MwK5xy8bq0fx-2Fq-2F7mjvFq0948gWgCuw813lOTKlJFjqt-2BrDis10gi5nVMGxvRWCfeaE1wnd9xfFgMSI0lKD5cc-2FtPPLUOrRhmM82PZTjVKeZGjceURpc2Nlpc1ZJxCL7zIptK8-2FE-2BNY0BP4bvlzhbWpsjFvSoZLcFcECDpGAAXmYAEGqQfqSgxjjHldHS5uQGgyw7KwwtS0nRFHSE-2F3Fzp07bGOkI-3D&c=E,1,t_q3aN8O-2EXFusqkIYAhJ_WP358mpVplYqooF7EXUpY52y_Z-K0nKl-MHMwHMcsSzQhNCie2-4I9UJqSZJHdw_MPXzD-rV79IlWcKyP1BlZ&typo=1> as this will aid in our investigation.

 

This fixes the issue, until the machine restarts, then it reverts to normal (The defaults have saved, so it still says “Notebook.exe” but still opens in chrome, after the machine restarts.
 

Will send them an "environmet dump" tomorrow and wait for an update. 

 

Does your smartnotebook open in chrome sometimes? the application 

 

We have the shortcut on desktops to the exe file which opens up in chrome too!

 

One quick fix I found was to open smartnotebook, I think it is edit preferences and restore defaults.

 

This was also hit and miss!

[d.sullivan]

2 minutes ago, 5nowman said:

Does your smartnotebook open in chrome sometimes? the application 

 

We have the shortcut on desktops to the exe file which opens up in chrome too!

 

One quick fix I found was to open smartnotebook, I think it is edit preferences and restore defaults.

 

This was also hit and miss!

 

Not the .exe itself or the shortcut to the .exe, they open the program as intended, but opening the files themselves. 

 

Will give that a go thanks, anything is better than wasting time reinstalling it.

 

 

Edited September 17, 2025 by d.sullivan

[5nowman]

On 17/09/2025 at 16:24, d.sullivan said:

 

Not the .exe itself or the shortcut to the .exe, they open the program as intended, but opening the files themselves. 

 

Will give that a go thanks, anything is better than wasting time reinstalling it.

 

 

I went to the exe file of the smartnotebook software itself.. and it opened in chrome!

 

[d.sullivan]

Update from smart support: 

I’m sorry to hear that SMART Notebook is opening a Chromium window when attempting to open a second instance of SMART Notebook. I am happy to assist you with this today.

This is currently an issue that we are tracking internally, and we will have a fix for it in the next version of SMART Notebook. However, I know how this impacts your day-to-day. I would like to be able to provide you with a workaround. 

 

Some things that have been reported to work for other customers of mine have been changing the default app for opening SMART Notebook files from LaunchNotebook.exe to Notebook.exe, changing the shortcut on the desktop/start menu to Notebook.exe, and removing a lock file in your temp files. Please see the following;

 

• Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\, find the Notebook.exe, right-click it, create a shortcut, and put that shortcut on the desktop for opening SMART Notebook. 
• Open Task Manager, and end any processes for “Notebook Chromium Helper”.
• Close any Notebook processes in Task Manager, and then navigate to C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\SMART Technologies\SMART Notebook\TempFiles\CEF\ and delete the lockfile located there.
• Restarting the computer will also provide temporary relief for this issue.

[Bankesy]

I saw this issue with a couple of users here, but didn't think too much of it, as not every file was affected, and it seemed intermittent. Glad I found this thread.

 

I thought it had something to do with moving to Win 11\latest version of SMART over the Summer.

[5nowman]

This is driving my school crazy now!

 

Also Smartnotebook keeps crashing when opening 3 or more notebooks.

 

Anyone else finding this? Have there been any updates?

[5nowman]

On 22/09/2025 at 12:34, d.sullivan said:

Update from smart support: 

I’m sorry to hear that SMART Notebook is opening a Chromium window when attempting to open a second instance of SMART Notebook. I am happy to assist you with this today.

This is currently an issue that we are tracking internally, and we will have a fix for it in the next version of SMART Notebook. However, I know how this impacts your day-to-day. I would like to be able to provide you with a workaround. 

 

Some things that have been reported to work for other customers of mine have been changing the default app for opening SMART Notebook files from LaunchNotebook.exe to Notebook.exe, changing the shortcut on the desktop/start menu to Notebook.exe, and removing a lock file in your temp files. Please see the following;

 

• Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\, find the Notebook.exe, right-click it, create a shortcut, and put that shortcut on the desktop for opening SMART Notebook. 
• Open Task Manager, and end any processes for “Notebook Chromium Helper”.
• Close any Notebook processes in Task Manager, and then navigate to C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\SMART Technologies\SMART Notebook\TempFiles\CEF\ and delete the lockfile located there.
• Restarting the computer will also provide temporary relief for this issue.

Did you get any more updates on this? Does notebook crash on multiple machines?

[ICTICJTilson]

I've had this now at three schools I support, hopefully a fix is coming soon

[Progress]

Hi, there is a temporary "fix" as the issue is with the latest version of (not so) Smart Notebook. It does seem to affect just W11 OS.

Uninstall and roll back to an earlier version - I went back to 22 rather than mess about and this works fine, feel free to try later versions.

A right pain if you have loads to do - but works until they sort themselves out.

Edited October 6, 2025 by Progress

[5nowman]

42 minutes ago, Progress said:

Hi, there is a temporary "fix" as the issue is with the latest version of (not so) Smart Notebook. It does seem to affect just W11 OS.

Uninstall and roll back to an earlier version - I went back to 22 rather than mess about and this works fine, feel free to try later versions.

A right pain if you have loads to do - but works until they sort themselves out.

Hi,

 

Any reason you went to 22 and not 24?  I think there was a 24 option?

[d.sullivan]

On 02/10/2025 at 13:46, 5nowman said:

Did you get any more updates on this? Does notebook crash on multiple machines?

Thats all i've got from them at the moment, it looks like we're waiting for smart 26/27 to be released 

[Progress]

No reason not to go to 24, like I said, feel free to try later versions.

- Just went back a couple to be absolutely sure it worked, which it did... when I get a minute😆, I'll try 24 though, by which time they will probably have fixed it and had another version or two...

 

[5nowman]

Do you think sophos could be causing some issues?

 

I have staff reporting they open 3 smart notebook documents, open 4th and it crashes.

 

This is the paid version too notebook plus.

[Progress]

Possible, we don't get the crashing. Just the Chrome issue. Maybe try a test device without Sophos? Or just disable it first and try? 

[StephenPink]

We've got issues with SMART Notebook just crashing instantly so won't even open - thought it was related to v25, or Windows 11 - but nope. Have a ticket open, but they're useless. We've tried about 10 different models of PC (they said it was a graphics driver issue at one point) tried going back to Windows 10, and tried at least 4 different versions of SMART Notebook (25, 24, 23, 22) still with the same result. 

The weirdest thing is that sometimes, it works - for a bit, then stops working - with the same crashing error. Causing real issues for the department that use it.

Get a .NET Runtime Error, followed by and Application Error.

.NET Runtime Error:
Application: LaunchNotebook.exe
Framework Version: v4.0.30319
Description: The process was terminated due to an unhandled exception.
Exception Info: System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception

Exception Info: System.DllNotFoundException
at LaunchNotebook.EmbeddedResourceManager.LoadDll(System.String)
at LaunchNotebook.App.OnStartup(System.Windows.StartupEventArgs)
at System.Windows.Application.<.ctor>b__1_0(System.Object)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(System.Object, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32, System.Delegate)
at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.InvokeImpl()
at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.InvokeInSecurityContext(System.Object)
at MS.Internal.CulturePreservingExecutionContext.CallbackWrapper(System.Object)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean)
at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object)
at MS.Internal.CulturePreservingExecutionContext.Run(MS.Internal.CulturePreservingExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object)
at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.Invoke()
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.ProcessQueue()
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.WndProcHook(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef)
at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef)
at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(System.Object)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(System.Object, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32, System.Delegate)
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.LegacyInvokeImpl(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherPriority, System.TimeSpan, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32)
at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.SubclassWndProc(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr)
at MS.Win32.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessage(System.Windows.Interop.MSG ByRef)
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.PushFrameImpl(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherFrame)
at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.PushFrame(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherFrame)
at System.Windows.Application.RunDispatcher(System.Object)
at System.Windows.Application.RunInternal(System.Windows.Window)
at System.Windows.Application.Run(System.Windows.Window)
at LaunchNotebook.App.Main()

Application Error:
Faulting application name: LaunchNotebook.exe, version: 25.0.1390.1, time stamp: 0x6813a263
Faulting module name: KERNELBASE.dll, version: 10.0.26100.4946, time stamp: 0x40de7ee7
Exception code: 0xe0434352
Fault offset: 0x00160714
Faulting process id: 0x15C0
Faulting application start time: 0x1DC1CE9DBF55FBC
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files (x86)\SMART Technologies\Education Software\LaunchNotebook.exe
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\System32\KERNELBASE.dll
Report Id: f063ad3e-9361-4741-b4a3-7a6842dc0a6a
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

[cstreet]

+1 !!

 

We've just pushed Notebook v25.0 to one of our schools and multiple teachers have reported the opening with Chrome thing. We have Windows 10 + Sophos + Smoothwall Webfilter Appliance + Classroom.Cloud + Microsoft Office 365 Apps

 

It's intermittent for us. On a fresh reboot of a laptop, the program functions fine as expected.

 

Teacher showed me that they could trigger the issue on purpose at the end of the day - laptop been on for a while - then try opening Notebook documents until it triggers. After about 3-4 docs open, SMART threw an error up and then started opening with Chrome then downloading a copy of the document. Sometimes happens on a fresh reboot too apparently but we couldn't replicate this at the time.

On a refresh reboot of a modern laptop recently deployed with fresh Windows, the issue doesn't occur and Smart Notebooks open fine. We opened about 12 docs and it kept going! It seems to occur after the laptops have been on for a while, or something else triggering it in the background. Another app open perhaps.

 

Not worked it out fully yet but we're looking at if we can just jump back to v24 anyway until it's solved.

 

Workaround suggested at the moment it that when we close all other Notebook documents, wait 30 seconds, then start again, they open fine. (shrug)

 

Edited October 9, 2025 by cstreet

[sraper]

Argh!   Anyone know if there is a fix for this yet.

 

Have numerous staff at a number of schools suffering with this 

 

[edit]  just had a thought would uninstalling Chrome be a workaround 🤣

Edited October 20, 2025 by sraper

[5nowman]

5 hours ago, sraper said:

Argh!   Anyone know if there is a fix for this yet.

 

Have numerous staff at a number of schools suffering with this 

 

[edit]  just had a thought would uninstalling Chrome be a workaround 🤣

I have 2 people on smart 22 now.

Waiting on feedback.

 

Smart said the install of the software may have failed and got me to do a cleanup and new install keeping install.log

 

I have set exclusions on sophos! Maybe that is it.

 

New complaint is.. they open smartnotebook, file open to open another one and it closes the first one they had opened. Looks like it is limited to one notebook at a time!

 

[sraper]

40 minutes ago, 5nowman said:

I have 2 people on smart 22 now.

Waiting on feedback.

 

Smart said the install of the software may have failed and got me to do a cleanup and new install keeping install.log

 

I have set exclusions on sophos! Maybe that is it.

 

New complaint is.. they open smartnotebook, file open to open another one and it closes the first one they had opened. Looks like it is limited to one notebook at a time!

 

Hmm that one notebook at a time seems familar.

It may depend on how you open.  Cant remember which way around but opening from the File -> open in SMART notebook gave different functionality than double clicking on a notebook in explorer!!!

 

 

and regards "Smart said the install of the software may have failed"  thats "failed for an awful lot of us!!!

[kidpressingbuttons]

They dont seem to be rushing to release a new version. My tickets keep getting closed so not hopeful for a quick resolution....