Where Are AutoCAD Backup Files Saved?

Locating AutoCAD Backup Files

Finding the backup files generated by AutoCAD is vital for anyone who wishes to retrieve previously saved work or recover from unexpected closures. AutoCAD creates backup files automatically to safeguard your designs, and knowing where to find them can save significant time and effort.

Understanding AutoCAD Backup and Autosave Features

AutoCAD has an integrated system for creating backups that operates by default. When you save a project, the software generates a backup file with a .bak extension. Additionally, AutoCAD performs autosave every 10 minutes, storing temporary files with an .sv$ extension. These features ensure that you have multiple recovery options if your program or computer crashes or if you forget to save.

Finding the Automatic Save File Location

To find the location of AutoCAD’s automatic save files, follow these steps:

1. Open AutoCAD and type OPTIONS into the command line.
2. Navigate to the Files tab within the Options dialog.
3. Locate the section labeled Automatic Save File Location. This directory specifies where AutoCAD stores autosave files.

After you identify the folder path, you can use Windows Explorer to navigate to this directory and search for files with the .sv$ and .bak extensions.

Recovering Unsaved Files

If you experience a crash or accidentally close AutoCAD without saving, you can recover your work by following these steps:

1. Open the folder you located in the previous section.
2. Look for files with the .sv$ extension (autosave files) or .bak extension (backup files).
3. To use an autosave file, rename the file extension from .sv$ or .bak to .dwg.
4. After renaming, try to open the file in AutoCAD by double-clicking or selecting it within the application.

Opening AutoCAD Autosave Files

To configure your settings for autosave or to open your autosave files, follow the instructions below:

1. Access the CAD Options dialog and navigate to the Open and Save tab.
2. Make sure the Automatic Save option is checked.
3. Set the preferred interval for autosaves in minutes for future projects.
4. To recover an autosave file, change the file extension as mentioned earlier and open it directly with AutoCAD.

Retrieving Files from the TEMP Folder

Should you need to access temporary files, you can use the following method to recover potentially useful information:

1. Open AutoCAD and select the menu File.
2. Click on Drawing Utilities, then select Recover.
3. In the dialog box that appears, either type in the name of the corrupted drawing file or browse to locate it.
4. Review the recovery results presented in the text window to see if your drawings can be salvaged.

Viewing Open Drawings and Layouts

To manage and view your open drawings efficiently in AutoCAD:

1. Enter TASKBAR in the command line and press Enter.
2. Change the value to 1 to enable a separate taskbar for each open drawing.
3. For viewing all layouts, open the Options dialog by typing OPTIONS again, navigate to the Display tab, and enable the check box for “Display Layout and Model tabs”.

FAQs

1. How can I manually save my AutoCAD drawings?
The quickest way to save your drawings is to use the shortcut Ctrl+S. This command saves your current file immediately.

2. What types of backup files does AutoCAD create?
AutoCAD generates two primary types of backup files: the .bak file created during manual saves and the .sv$ file created during autosaves.

3. Can I change the automatic save settings in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can customize the settings for autosave intervals by navigating to the Open and Save tab under the CAD Options dialog box and modifying the minutes as desired.