Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files

1. Retrieve CAD files with Drawing Recovery Manager

Step 1: Click on the Cad icon (1) => Drawing Utilities (2) => Open the Drawing Recovery Manager (3).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 1

Step 2: Click on the + sign to expand the folder (1) => right click on the .dwg file (2) => Open (2).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 2

Once done and open the unsaved file, you can save it with the Ctrl + S command.

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 3

2. Get the Cad file in the Temp . folder

AutoCAD will automatically save the file for a certain period of time, you can get the file automatically saved in the installation folder on the operating system. Proceed as follows:

Step 1: You determine the location to save the temporary Cad file by clicking on the Cad icon (1) => Options (2).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 4

Step 2: You click on Files (1) => Temporary Drawing File Location (2) and you will see the folder address to save the temporary Cad file here.

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 5

Step 3: You open the folder according to the above path (1) and find two archive files with the name you set (2).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 6

Step 4: You proceed to copy the above 2 files by right-clicking (1) => Copy (2).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 7

Step 5: After copying to the new folder, proceed to change the file extension by right-clicking on the file with the extension .sv$ (1) => Rename (2).

Note: If you do not see the file extension, the reason is that your computer has not enabled the display of file extensions.

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 8

Next, you change the file extension .sv$ to .dwg and press Enter to save.

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 9

Step 5: After opening the file and the components are still intact and working fine is successful!

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 10

3. Set time period to automatically save Cad . files

To minimize your risk, you should take advantage of the autosave feature and set the lowest autosave interval. Proceed as follows:

Step 1: You click on the AutoCAD icon (1) => Options (2).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 11

Step 2: You select Open and Save (1) => check Automatic save (2) => change the minimum value to 1 (3) => Apply (4) => OK (5).

Steps to retrieve unsaved AutoCAD files Picture 12

With the instructions in the article, you will no longer worry when the power goes out without saving the Cad file. Good luck!

Micah Soto

Update 16 July 2021