How to Recover Unsaved File in AutoCAD 2017

Understanding AutoCAD Autosave Features

AutoCAD is equipped with an automatic saving feature that periodically saves your progress during a design session. This safeguard ensures that not all work is lost in the event of a software crash or other unexpected interruptions. Users can manage autosave settings through the Options menu within the application.

Finding Autosave Files in AutoCAD

By default, AutoCAD saves autosave files in the temporary files directory on Windows. To locate this folder:

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Type %temp% in the address bar and press Enter. This will direct you to the temporary files location.
3. Look for files with the extensions .sv$ or .bak, which represent autosave and backup files, respectively.

Recovering an Unsaved AutoCAD File

If you’ve lost an unsaved AutoCAD file, you can follow these steps to attempt recovery:

1. Access the Temporary Files:

   • Open Windows Explorer.
   • Navigate to the temporary files directory by entering %temp% in the address bar.

2. Identify Possible Files:

   • Search for files with the .sv$ or .bak extension. These are the autosave and backup files AutoCAD maintains.

3. Renaming the File:

   • Select the desired file and change its extension from .sv$ (or .bak) to .dwg. This action makes it recognizable by AutoCAD.

4. Opening the File:

   • Launch AutoCAD and use the Open command to retrieve the newly renamed file. This process should restore your last autosaved work.

Using the AutoCAD Recovery Manager

If the autosave method does not yield results, utilize the Recovery Manager in AutoCAD:

1. Open Recovery Manager:

   • Depending on your version, invoke the Recovery Manager by typing DRAWINGRECOVERY at the command prompt.
   • Alternatively, hover over the ▼ (down arrow) icon in the AutoCAD interface to access the menu and select Recovery Manager from the list.

2. Select Backup Files:

   • Once in the Recovery Manager, you will see a list of available drawings and backups. Click on each file to preview its content.

3. Open the Recovered File:

   • If a damaged file is detected, AutoCAD will attempt automatic repairs. Double-click the file you wish to recover.

Ensuring Future Autosave Convenience

To ensure that your AutoCAD files are automatically saved at regular intervals:

1. Adjust Autosave Settings:
   • Enter the Options menu from the drawing area by right-clicking and selecting Options.
   • Navigate to the Open and Save tab.
   • Ensure that the Automatic Save checkbox is checked.
   • Set the preferred time interval for autosaves under Minutes Between Saves.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I set the location for my AutoCAD autosave files?
   Yes, you can change the default autosave file location in AutoCAD’s Options menu under the Files tab.

2. What file types should I look for when trying to recover files?
   Look for .sv$ for autosave files and .bak for backup copies to retrieve lost work.

3. Is the autosave function enabled by default?
   Yes, AutoCAD typically has autosave functionality enabled by default, but it’s advisable to check and configure your settings to suit your needs.