How to Extend Trial Period in AutoCAD?

Understanding AutoCAD Trial Period Limitations

AutoCAD offers a 30-day trial version allowing users to explore its robust features. However, once the trial period concludes, the software ceases to function unless a valid license is purchased. Unfortunately, there are no legitimate means to extend this trial period on the same machine without resorting to drastic measures, such as resetting the computer to factory settings. Not only is it impractical, but attempting to install the trial on another computer that you or your organization owns is also against Autodesk’s terms of service.

Steps to Renew Your AutoCAD Trial

If you are interested in renewing your trial, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the AutoCAD Application: Launch the software as you normally would.
2. Close the Trial Notification: If a trial indicator window appears, close it to proceed.
3. Navigate to Account Options: Click on your user account menu, typically located in the upper right corner.
4. Manage License: Select "Manage License…" from the dropdown options.
5. Choose Activation: From here, you can select either “Activate” or “Change License Type” to explore other options, although this may not necessarily reset your trial.

Alternative Methods to Reset the Trial

Extending or resetting the trial of AutoCAD through non-official means can often lead to issues or legal complications. However, if you still wish to explore ways to reset your trial, here is a commonly discussed procedure using third-party software:

1. Download RunAsDate: Obtain the RunAsDate utility, which is designed to manipulate software’s perceived date.
2. Extract the Software: Unzip the downloaded files and save them on your computer.
3. Launch RunAsDate: Open the RunAsDate application.
4. Select AutoCAD’s Executable: Click “Browse” and locate the AutoCAD executable file.
5. Set the Desired Date: Input the original installation date of the trial to trick the software into thinking the trial has only just started.

Resetting AutoCAD Preferences

Resetting AutoCAD to factory settings may help resolve issues and reinitialize your trial:

1. Open Preferences: Click on the AutoCAD menu and select "Preferences."
2. Access Application Settings: Go to the Application tab within the preferences.
3. Reset Application Options: Click on "Reset Application Options."
4. Confirm Reset: Choose the option to reset AutoCAD and follow any prompts to confirm.

Exploring the Full Version

If the trial period has expired, you can explore the full capabilities of AutoCAD:

1. Launch the Software: Start AutoCAD on your device.
2. Close Any Notifications: Dismiss the expired trial notification if prompted.
3. Manage License: Head to the account menu and select “Manage License…”
4. Select Activation: Follow prompts to activate using a valid subscription or product key.

FAQs

Can I create multiple user accounts to renew my trial?
Attempting to create multiple user accounts to reset the trial is not advisable. Autodesk’s terms prohibit this practice and may lead to account suspension.

What should I do if I encounter license errors?
To fix licensing issues, remove relevant application data from your system by navigating to directories such as C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ADUT and C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ADUT. Then, restart AutoCAD and try activating again.

How can I acquire AutoCAD if I cannot extend the trial?
If a trial extension isn’t feasible, consider purchasing a license directly through Autodesk’s website, which offers various subscription plans suited to different user needs.