How to Set Autosave in AutoCAD?

Understanding AutoCAD Autosave Feature

Setting up the Autosave feature in AutoCAD is essential for safeguarding your work. This built-in function periodically saves your progress, helping you avoid losses in case of unexpected shutdowns or crashes. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to configure and locate the Autosave settings in AutoCAD 2025.

Accessing Autosave Settings in AutoCAD

1. Open Options Menu:

   • Begin by launching AutoCAD.
   • Navigate to the menu bar at the top and click on the “Tools” menu.
   • From the dropdown, select “Options.”

2. Select the Files Tab:

   • Within the Options dialog, locate and click on the "Files" tab. This is where various file-related settings are displayed.

3. Find Autosave Location:

   • Look for the “Automatic Save File Location” section. Click the plus sign (+) next to this option to expand it.
4. View or Modify the Path:
   • Double-click the displayed path to see the current Autosave file location. Here, you can also modify it if necessary by navigating to a different folder and confirming your choice with "OK."

How to Change the Autosave Location

If you prefer to have your Autosave files stored in a different directory, follow these steps:

1. Open the Options Dialog:

   • Repeat the steps to access the Options dialog via the Tools menu.

2. Locate File Path:

   • Under the "Files" tab, find the "Automatic Save File Location."
3. Change Directory:
   • Click on the plus sign (+) next to it, double-click the existing path, and browse to the folder you desire. Confirm your selection to apply the changes.

Saving Autosave Files as DWG

To restore your work from an Autosave file and save it as a standard DWG file, follow this procedure:

1. Locate Autosave Files:

   • Access your Temp folder by typing %tmp% in the Start menu search and hit Enter.
   • Identify the Autosave file, typically with a .sv$ extension, that matches the name of your original drawing.

2. Rename the File:

   • Change the file extension from .sv$ to .dwg, which allows it to be opened in AutoCAD without issue.
3. Open the DWG File:
   • Launch AutoCAD and open the newly renamed DWG file to resume your work.

Confirming AutoCAD Autosave Settings

To ensure that Autosave is activated in AutoCAD, you’ll need to verify the relevant settings:

1. Access Preferences:

   • Inside the Options dialog, find the ‘Open and Save’ section within the Files tab.

2. Check Autosave Interval:

   • Look for the “Automatic Save” feature and check the interval setting. This is typically set in minutes – adjust according to your needs.
3. Enable Autosave:
   • Ensure that the Autosave feature is enabled. If it is turned off, toggle it on to activate the Autosave function.

Accessing the Drawing Recovery Manager

In the event you need to recover lost or damaged files, utilize the Drawing Recovery Manager:

1. Open the Recovery Tool:

   • Hover over the down arrow on the AutoCAD menu to scroll and find the Recovery options.
   • For AutoCAD LT users, type DRAWINGRECOVERY in the command prompt to access the tool.

2. Review Available Files:

   • The Drawing Recovery Manager will list recoverable files. Preview them to identify which to restore.
3. Recover Your Drawing:
   • Select the appropriate drawing file to recover and open it for further editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if I do not have Autosave enabled?
Without the Autosave feature enabled, you risk losing any unsaved changes in the event of a crash or power failure. Regularly saving your work manually is essential.

2. How often does AutoCAD automatically save my work?
The default setting typically saves your work every 10 minutes, but you can customize the interval in the Options dialog.

3. Can I recover an unsaved AutoCAD drawing after closing the program?
If Autosave was enabled, you may be able to find a backup of your drawing in the Temp folder or through the Drawing Recovery Manager when you restart AutoCAD.