How To Open Last Unsaved AutoCAD File?

Understanding AutoCAD’s Autosave Feature

When working in AutoCAD, the Autosave feature provides a safety net by periodically saving your progress. If you ever find yourself needing to open a recently unsaved file, knowing how to access these Autosave files is critical.

Locating the Autosave Files

To begin, you must identify where AutoCAD stores its Autosave files:

1. Access Options: Type “OPTIONS” into the command line and hit Enter. This opens the Options dialog box.
2. Navigate to the Files Tab: Click on the ‘Files’ tab within the dialog.
3. Find Automatic Save File Location: Look for the entry labeled “Automatic Save File Location.” This path directs you to where AutoCAD saves temporary files.

Searching Through Windows Explorer

Once you have the file location:

1. Open Windows Explorer: Navigate to the folder specified in the Automatic Save File Location.
2. Identify Relevant File Types: Look for files that have either the .AC$ or .BAK extensions. These types are temporary files AutoCAD creates to ensure you don’t lose work.

Converting and Opening Autosave Files

If you find Autosave files:

1. Change the Extension: Rename any files that end in .AC$ or .BAK to .DWG.
   • To do this, right-click the file and select “Rename.” Change the extension appropriately in the Filename field.
2. Open AutoCAD: Launch AutoCAD.
3. Access the File: Use the ‘Open’ command, and browse to the location where you saved the newly renamed files. Select the file and open it.

Using the Drawing Recovery Manager

If you need further assistance recovering a file, the Drawing Recovery Manager can be a valuable tool:

1. Open the Manager: Type “DRAWINGRECOVERY” in the command line to access the Drawing Recovery Manager.
2. View Backup Files: Under the ‘Backup Files’ section, you will see a list of available files.
3. Select and Open: Double-click any file listed to attempt to open it. If the file is damaged, AutoCAD will make an effort to repair it.

Additional Recovery Options

For users who want to explore other recovery methods, consider the following:

1. Temporary Files: To find files saved as temporary data, navigate to the path: C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp.

   • You can also access this folder quickly by pressing WIN + R and typing %temp%.

2. Accessing BAK Files Directly: If you have a .BAK file, you can rename it to .DWG and open it in AutoCAD.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often does AutoCAD autosave?
AutoCAD allows users to customize how often it autosaves, typically ranging from 1 to 30 minutes. This setting can be adjusted in the Options dialog under the Open and Save tab.

2. Can I disable the autosave function?
Yes, the autosave feature can be disabled by navigating to the Open and Save tab within the Options dialog and unchecking the “Automatic Save” box.

3. What should I do if my Autosave files aren’t available?
If you cannot find any Autosave files, consider checking your system for proper backups or reviewing other drawing recovery methods, such as using the Drawing Recovery Manager.