### Steps to Block AutoCAD from Accessing the Internet in Windows 10
If you want to prevent AutoCAD from accessing the internet on your Windows 10 system, using the built-in Windows Firewall is an effective method. Below are detailed steps to accomplish this task.
#### Accessing Windows Firewall
1. **Open Control Panel**: Press the Windows key and the “R” key simultaneously to launch the Run dialog. Type `control` and hit Enter. This will take you to the Control Panel.
2. **Navigate to Windows Defender Firewall**: Click on “System and Security,” then select “Windows Defender Firewall” from the menu.
#### Adding AutoCAD to the Firewall Settings
3. **Allow an App through the Firewall**: On the left sidebar, find and click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
4. **Modify Settings**: Click on the “Change settings” button. You may need administrator rights to make these modifications.
5. **Locate AutoCAD**: If AutoCAD appears in the list, uncheck the box next to it for both private and public networks. If it’s not listed, proceed to the next step.
6. **Add AutoCAD Manually**: Click on the “Allow another app…” button. A new window will pop up.
7. **Browse for the AutoCAD Application**: Click the “Browse” button to locate the AutoCAD executable on your system, typically found in the installation directory (e.g., `C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025`).
8. **Add and Confirm**: Select the AutoCAD executable and click “Add.” Ensure that the newly added entry is checked for both the private and public networks.
#### Finalizing Your Settings
9. **Apply Changes**: Click on “OK” to save your changes and close the Windows Firewall settings.
10. **Restart AutoCAD**: If AutoCAD was running during this process, close and reopen it to ensure that the new settings take effect.
### Registry Method to Prevent Internet Access
Additionally, you can adjust specific registry settings to further restrict AutoCAD from accessing the internet.
#### Editing the Windows Registry
1. **Open the Run Dialog**: Press the Windows key + R, type `REGEDIT`, and hit Enter. This opens the Windows Registry Editor.
2. **Navigate to the Correct Key**: Follow the path: `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R25.0\InfoCenter`.
3. **Modify InfoCenterOn Value**: In the right pane, find `InfoCenterOn`. Double-click on it and change the value to `0`. This disables the InfoCenter feature, which often requires an internet connection.
4. **Close Registry Editor**: Exit the Registry Editor and restart AutoCAD for the changes to take effect.
### Frequently Asked Questions
#### Can I run AutoCAD without an internet connection?
AutoCAD desktop applications typically do not require a continuous internet connection to function once they are installed and activated. However, an internet connection is needed initially for installation and activation.
#### Is it safe to block AutoCAD from the internet completely?
Blocking AutoCAD from the internet may prevent certain features from functioning correctly, such as cloud services and updates. Generally, if you don’t require these features, it is safe to restrict internet access.
#### What should I do if AutoCAD still tries to access the internet?
If AutoCAD continues to attempt internet access after applying these methods, consider checking for additional settings within the software itself or reviewing your firewall and antivirus settings to ensure they are correctly configured.
