How to Stop Creating Backup Files in AutoCAD?

Disabling AutoCAD Backup File Creation

AutoCAD frequently generates backup files with the .BAK extension to safeguard your work from unexpected incidents. However, some users may prefer to disable this feature to streamline their workflow. This guide contains a step-by-step approach to stop AutoCAD from creating these backup files.

Step 1: Access Preferences

1. Open the AutoCAD application.
2. Navigate to the drawing area and right-click to bring up a context menu.
3. Select Preferences from the dropdown.

Step 2: Modify Application Preferences

1. In the Preferences dialog box, switch to the Application tab.
2. Look for the Automatic Save option.
3. Uncheck the box next to Automatic Save. This step will prevent AutoCAD from creating backup files during the saving process.

Step 3: Configure Tools Settings

1. Go to the Tools menu in the main AutoCAD interface.
2. Choose Options from the dropdown list.
3. Navigate to the System tab.
4. Uncheck Save project backup file (.BAK) when opening project and click OK.

Step 4: Verify Your Settings

After making these changes, it’s advised to test the settings:

1. Create a simple drawing.
2. Save the drawing and check if no .BAK file appears in the project directory.

Deleting Existing Backup Files

To delete any existing .BAK files that may have already been created:

1. Open the AutoCAD application.
2. Access the Tools menu again and select Options.
3. Under the Files tab, locate the Automatic Save File Location.
4. Navigate to the specified location (often found at C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Temp).
5. Manually delete any .BAK files from this directory.

Understanding Backup File Necessity

AutoCAD generates .BAK files to serve as a safety net. When you save your drawing, the application saves a copy of the last version as a backup. This feature allows users to recover previous versions in case of file corruption or accidental modifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What happens if I disable .BAK file creation?
Disabling the creation of .BAK files means that AutoCAD will no longer keep older versions as backups. If the current drawing becomes damaged or lost, you may not be able to retrieve previous edits.

Q2: Can I still recover files without .BAK files?
While AutoCAD’s recovery features may be limited without .BAK files, you can still utilize the Drawing Recovery Manager to restore lost files, provided they were saved at least once during the session.

Q3: Are there other file formats associated with AutoCAD backups?
Yes, AutoCAD primarily uses the .DWG extension for design files and generates .DWL files to prevent overwrites and ensure file locking during multi-user access.