This guide shows you exactly how to autocad recover bak file using the rename trick, command-line methods, and recovery tools. You'll also master how to recover dwg file from bak file even when the original is corrupted or missing - with clear, no-jargon instructions for all skill levels.
Lost your AutoCAD files suddenly? Don't worry, every time you save, AutoCAD quietly preserves your previous version as a .bak file. The backup file is your lifeline. Learning how to recover a BAK file in AutoCAD can save you hours of redrawing and a whole lot of stress.
A BAK file is simply a renamed DWG file from the moment before your last save. When you hit Save, AutoCAD takes the existing drawing and renames it to a .bak extension, then saves your new changes as the fresh .dwg file. So if your current drawing gets corrupted or overwritten, the BAK file holds the previous intact version.
There are two types of recovery files for AutoCAD: .bak and .sv$.
BAK files are backup copies created every time you manually save a drawing—provided the "Create backup copy with each save" option is enabled. They sit right next to your DWG file and share its name, just with a .bak extension. A BAK is an exact snapshot of your drawing before the last save, so if your current DWG gets corrupted, the BAK holds the previous good version.
SV$ files, in contrast, are autosave files created at regular intervals (every 10 minutes by default), regardless of manual saves. They live in a separate folder defined by the SAVEFILEPATH variable, not alongside your DWG. These are temporary and vanish when you close AutoCAD normally, but they survive a crash.
BAK files are saved in the same folder as your DWG by default. The autosave folder (for SV$) is found under AutoCAD Options > Files tab > Automatic Save File Location—usually buried in your Temp folder. You can change this path to something more convenient.
You can also use the MOVEBAK command (Express Tools required) to redirect all BAK files to a dedicated backup folder, keeping your working directory clean while maintaining your safety net.
ABAK file is just a DWG file with a different extension. To get your drawing back, you simply need to rename it.
Before you start, make sure your operating system shows file extensions.
1. Navigate to the folder where your original DWG is (or was) saved.
2. Look for a file with the same name and a .bak extension, e.g., project.bak.
3. Copy this file to a different folder—never work directly on the original BAK in case something goes wrong.
4. Right-click the copied file, choose Rename, and change .bak to .dwg.
5. Confirm the change when Windows asks if you're sure.
6. Open the renamed file in AutoCAD.
That's it.
Sometimes the simple rename doesn't work. Maybe the BAK file itself is damaged, or the drawing was saved twice after the issue occurred, which overwrote the good BAK. Here are your alternatives.
Instead of just opening the renamed file, try running the RECOVER command on it. This forces AutoCAD to scan the file for corruption and attempt repairs before loading.
1. Open AutoCAD, type RECOVER in the command line.
2. Select your renamed DWG file.
The software will work through any structural damage and often produces a usable drawing even when a normal opening fails.
1. You can also set the file type filter in AutoCAD's Open dialog to "All Files" and select the .bak file directly without renaming.
2. Some versions of AutoCAD will open a BAK as if it were a DWG. If that works, immediately do a Save As and give it a proper name.
If the BAK file is missing or corrupt, you can check the backup folder first. If your BAK was moved using MOVEBAK, check the Express Tools folder you designated. If you never changed it, the BAK should be right beside the original DWG.
Or you can try the previous version to restore AutoCAD drawings with File History if you have enabled it before the issue.
What if the BAK file itself is gone? Maybe you deleted it accidentally, or it was on a drive that got formatted. Or you can directly recover the AutoCAD DWG files. Regardless of the situation, you can try a professional Windows data recovery software, MyRecover, to recover AutoCAD BAK files or DWG files easily.
With MyRecover, enjoy:
MyRecover supports previewing DWG files before recovery, allowing you to visually confirm the drawing is intact before committing to restoration.
The software automatically categorizes missing files by file type and path. This intelligent organization helps you quickly locate the specific DWG or BAK file you need among hundreds of recovered files.
MyRecover uses advanced scanning technology that can find files even when the file system is corrupted or the BAK/DWG was permanently deleted.
The recovery process preserves the original filename, format, and path of recoverable files without altering or corrupting them. This ensures your recovered DWG maintains its structural integrity.
It provides an intuitive graphical interface and works across all Windows versions (11, 10, 8, 7, and Windows Server).
Here is how to recover AutoCAD BAK or DWG files with MyRecover on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7:
1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer instead of the drive you are recovering files from.
2. Run MyRecover, tap Deleted Files Recovery, hover over the drive where the AutoCAD BAK or DWG files were located, and hit Scan.
3. MyRecover will run a quick scan to find recently deleted files. Or you can run a deep scan to find all missing files, which takes longer.
4. Once scanned, the files are sorted by file type by default. Then search for .dwg or .bak, or search by your drawing name to find the deleted AutoCAD DWG or BAK files. Preview and select all you need and hit Recover.
5. Select a safe location to keep them.
Besides, MyRecover also allows you to recover files from a write-protected disk, a formatted SSD drive, a corrupted SD card, or even from a crashed computer, etc.
What is a BAK file in AutoCAD, and how is it different from an SV$ file?
A: BAK is a backup copy created on each manual save, storing the drawing state before that save. It sits next to your DWG. SV$ is an autosave file created every 10 minutes, stored in a separate folder, and deleted when AutoCAD closes normally.
How do I change a BAK file to a DWG file?
A: Show file extensions in File Explorer, copy the .bak file, rename the copy from .bak to .dwg, confirm, and open in AutoCAD.
Why can't I see the .bak file even though I saved my drawing?
A: BAKs only appear if "Create backup copy with each save" is enabled (Options > Open and Save) and ISAVEBAK is set to 1. Also ensure File Explorer shows file extensions.
Can I recover a drawing if the BAK file is also corrupted?
A: Yes, but options are limited. Run RECOVER on the renamed BAK. Failing that, try autosave (SV$) files. If nothing works, use a third-party tool like MyRecover for deep-scan recovery.
How many BAK files are kept per drawing?
A: Only one. Each new save overwrites the previous BAK, so act fast once you notice corruption.
What does the MOVEBAK command do, and how do I use it?
A: MOVEBAK (Express Tools) redirects all BAK files to a folder you choose. Type MOVEBAK, enter the folder path, and future BAKs go there. To reset, type MOVEBAK and enter a period (.) as the value.
Can I recover a BAK file after a second save overwrote it?
A: No. Each manual save overwrites the BAK. If you saved twice, the good backup is gone. Your only remaining options are autosave (SV$) or a deep-scan recovery tool.