Can I Recover AutoCAD Files?

AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting software that is used by various sectors, project managers, engineers, graphic designers, and architects. This software is used to create and edit digital 2D and 3D designs. However, it is not uncommon for users to remove AutoCAD files or shut drawings quickly without preserving them. Furthermore, your AutoCAD files may be lost owing to a variety of additional factors.

But, it’s possible to recover an unsaved or deleted AutoCAD file if you happen to delete files or lose files due to computer crash.

4 ways to recover AutoCAD files

In this section, we’ll introduce 4 ways to recover .dwg file in AutoCAD.

Method 1: Recover deleted AutoCAD files from Recycle Bin or Trash

For AutoCAD files, consult the Recycle Bin in Windows or the Trash folder in macOS. If you inadvertently delete them, the files will remain in the Recycle Bin or Trash for 30 days or until you purge them.

However, AutoCAD images will be unavailable if the Trash or Recycle Bin has been purged. The sole method of retrieving irreversibly deleted files is through the use of a professional data recovery tool.

Method 2. Recover lost/deleted AutoCAD files using data recovery software

If you find your .dwg files are not in Recycle Bin, we suggest you directly try professional data recovery tool. Because any redundant operations may cause data overwritten on your drive, you should avoid this while it might lead to data recovery failure.

AOMEI FastRecovery is a robust data recovery software that can recover deleted AutoCAD files. It employs complex algorithms to examine your hard drive or storage device for deleted files.

This utility allows you to recover AutoCAD files in a variety of formats, including DWG, DXF, and DWF. You may also recover files from other AutoCAD versions, including AutoCAD 2019, 2018, 2017, and previous versions.

It also works with a broad variety of storage devices, including SSDs, hard drives, USB drives, memory cards, and other detachable storage devices.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data is lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.

Method 3. Restore unsaved AutoCAD files from AutoSave

Some other traditional methods may also help you.

You may recover unsaved AutoCAD files by using the AutoSave feature in AutoCAD apps. However, this strategy is only applicable if you have enabled AutoSave.

To see if AutoSave is active, navigate to Options > Open and Save tab. If you enable the Automatic Save checkbox, you can recover AutoCAD files.

By default, the unsaved files of AutoCAD are saved at C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp with .sv$ extension on Windows PC

Method 4: Recover lost AutoCAD files from Backup

It is possible to restore an AutoCAD file from backup files kept in the same location as the AutoCAD drawing (DWG) file.

Step 1. Open File Explorer. Go to C: drive > Documents > AutoCAD folder.

Step 2. Find the backup file you want with the extension of .bak.

Step 3. Right-click on the file and select Rename option.

Step 4. Change the extension from .bak to .dwg. Then open the file in AutoCAD.

To sum up

Sincerely hope that the method just presented to you will assist you in recovering the AutoCAD files that were not saved. When it comes to AutoCAD recovery, we recommend using AOMEI FastRecovery because it is a service that is both professional and safe. The data that you have lost can be easily recovered using this tool, which is compatible with all Windows PC OS and Windows Server systems. Pick the best approach for you, and you can recover your AutoCAD files that have not been saved without having to worry about redo all your hard work.