Play purchased MIDI File

If no MIDI output device is defined in SONAR preferences, opening a MIDI file causes SONAR to automatically setup the file with TTS-1. From there, replace instruments as desired.

Actually Chuck,, MIDI files should always be "OPENED". 
Importing (or drag and drop) will lose important information about tempo etc. 
MIDI files will adapt to the project you already have open and nothing will play correctly. 
 
TTS-1 should automatically be loaded when you OPEN the file
Butt that said, for some reason right now this is not working for me on my main DAW. Works fine on my laptop,, both are running the latest version of PLat. 
 
But if TTS-1 does not load. then insert it manually to listen to the file.
 
A trick that speeds things up is insert the TTS_1,, then
"SELECT ALL"        "Tracks" / Selected tracks output  /  midi output  - TTS_1
and now all tracks will be pointed at it. 
Most all pre made MIDI files will sound the way the author intended with the TTS_1. 
And then you insert better synths and start improving the sound. 
 
I've worked with more than 50+ downloaded files this way. I'm in the process of re doing all 150+ of my backing tracks and upgrading the instruments. AD2 and real bass mostly. 

Thanks Steve ,, that was it, My main DAW is set to my Scarlett midi port. My laptops list is empty. 

Yes there is stuff like all the system exclusive data which is not imported. That data can make a huge difference to the little details people add to the files. The song will play but it will not sound the way the author had made it. 
 
I just tried this: 
I dragged and dropped a midi file from the media browser into the 16 track midi template.  It is all wrong. It sounds terrible.
There is no TTS-1 so I had to add it, and there is no effects or panning on the tracks, it seems to play the correct  instruments but some are playing in the wrong octave. The tempo is wrong so now your guessing. was it a 3/4 song? ,, if so your measures are wrong. 
The tracks are only numbered 1 through 16 so you have to solo them and name them. on and on.. this is a lot of work! 
 
I then opened the same file and the tempo and everything is all there and the song sounds way better, exactly the way it was written.   
The tracks are all named correctly, the TTS_1 was automatically inserted and configured and all I do is open,, and hit play..  certainly the best and only way to fly. 
 
Importing or drag and dropping midi is for working with midi loops, not whole songs. 

You open it the way all files can be opened in Windows. 
1- Use Sonars file menu.. preferred method -- "OPEN" - browse for the file.. 
2- Double click the midi file icon, you need to set Sonar as the default program for this to work. otherwise Media Player or iTunes is the default. 
3- Right click the icon and choose "open with"  hopefully Sonar is on the list. 
 
 

Yes Bob if Sonar was the last Music app you installed it should have grabbed all the things like MID files and associated them.  But often other music Apps take over and Windows 10 did an upgrade and after that I lost a lot of my associations to Groove friggen music. I hate W10!  Leave my DAW alone!! I'm unplugged forever ..again!