How to Recover a CAD File: Solutions for Deletion, Unsaved Work, and File Corruption

Can I Recover my CAD Files?

AutoCAD, a widely - used computer - aided design and drafting tool, caters to multiple industries. Project managers, engineers, graphic designers, and architects all rely on it. The software enables users to generate and modify both 2D and 3D digital designs, making it an essential asset for professionals in the design and construction fields.​

Have you ever panicked after accidentally deleting crucial CAD files? Or closed the AutoCAD application in a rush only to find that your latest edits weren't saved? Even worse, come across a corrupted CAD file that appears irreparable? Losing or damaging CAD files can be a nightmare. What’s reassuring is that it is possible to recover CAD files regardless of the cause. It’s essential to know how to recover these important files to avoid costly setbacks.​

The next section will guide you through comprehensive methods of how to recover a CAD file on your Windows system.

How to Recover CAD File Free

This section will propose several methods for recovering CAD files from three key aspects: deletion, unsaved data, and file corruption respectively. Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand that different scenarios require tailored approaches. Depending on the situation, whether the file was accidentally deleted, not saved when closing the program, or corrupted during use, you can take different recovery steps to retrieve your data.

How to Recover Deleted CAD File

Accidentally deleting a CAD file can happen at any time, but the files can be restored with easy ways. If your files were deleted recently, you may be able to retrieve it easily in Recycle Bin and using free file recovery software.

✅Restore in Recycle Bin (Temporary deletion)​

The first place to check when you accidentally delete a CAD file is the Recycle Bin in Windows. Most files deleted on your computer are sent here before they are permanently removed. If you delete a file from the Recycle Bin, it will be permanently deleted and cannot be restored from the Recycle Bin.​

Step 1. Double click "Recycle Bin" icon to open it.​

Step 2. Select the CAD files you want to recover and right click to choose "Restore". Then the file will be restored to its original location.​

✅Professional data recovery software-MyRecover (Permanent deletion)​

If you can't find the deleted CAD file in the Windows Recycle Bin, it may have been permanently deleted. MyRecover is a great option to recover permanently deleted files. It features a user - friendly graphical interface, allowing even computer novices to complete data recovery independently by simply clicking icons. ​

Additionally, MyRecover is compatible with multiple Windows versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and more. It doesn't require any backups or running complex command lines. With just four simple steps, it can help you recover your files.​

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer.​

Step 2. Launch it and select the drive with lost files to scan, then click "Scan".​

Step 3. Choose the files you want to restore in the recoverable lists and click "Recover".​

Step 4. Select a location different from the drive where data was lost to save the recovered files.​

Once the process is completed, the message "Your files have been recovered successfully" will shows on the screen. Now you can check the recovered CAD files in the destination folder.

How to Recover Unsaved CAD File

For those moments when your system shuts down unexpectedly or close the application without saving your progress, there are still options to recover your unsaved files. ​

To prevent data loss caused by such situations, AutoCAD's built-in autosave function backs up files regularly. Windows also offers solutions. You can recover lost files by checking the temporary folders.​

✅Restore from AutoSave ​

AutoCAD automatically saves backup copies of your files while you're working. If you enabled Automatic Save feature before file loss, you can check the automatic save file location to recover unsaved CAD files. It saves temporary drawing file with a ".sv$" extension. Here's how to enable Automatic Save:​

Step 1. Double click the "AutoCAD" icon to open it, then type "options" in the Command line, and then choose "Options".​

Step 2. In the "Options" window, click "Files" tab and scroll down, click "+" next to the "Automatic Save File Location" node. Here you can see the location automatically saved files stores. You can change the location by selecting the path under the node and clicking "Browse".​

Step 3. Click the "Open and Save" tab. Under the "File Safety Precautions" section, make sure "Automatic Save" and "Create backup copy with each save" are checked. If you want to change the time interval of the Automatic Save feature, click in the "Minutes between saves" text box and replace the current value.​

Then, you can follow these steps to restore CAD files from autosave location.​

Step 1. Locate the autosave folder location in "File Explorer". Choose the ".sv$" extension file.​

★Tips:

If the extension isn’t displayed in File Explorer, click the View tab and then check "File Name Extensions".​

Step 2. Copy and paste the AutoSaved file in the folder where you store the AutoCAD files, and then change the extension of the copied file from ".sv$" to ".dwg". Then you can open the file in AutoCAD.

✅Restore from Backup File​

As you work on a drawing file, AutoCAD creates two additional types of files: ".sv$" and ".bak" (backup drawing file). Backup drawing file is a copy of the drawing file which is created in the same folder as the drawing before changes are saved. These files can also be helpful for recovering unsaved work.​

Step 1. Locate the folder that you use to store the AutoCAD files, and then find the backup file with the extension of ".bak".​

Step 2. Right click on it and choose "Rename" to change its extension from ".bak" to ".dwg". ​

✅Restore from Temporary Files​

Additionally, Windows sometimes stores temporary files in the Temp folder. It’s worth checking here for any remnants of your unsaved work.​

Step 1. Press Win+R and type "%temp%" in the prompt window.​

Step 2. Look for a file with the same name of the one need to recover, a time stamp code, and an ".sv$" extension.​

Step 3. Select it and change the file extension from ".sv$" to ".dwg".

How to Recover Corrupted CAD File

While trying to open a drawing file, AutoCAD might encounter a problem that results in a failure to open the drawing. This may be caused by a corrupted CAD. Luckily, there are built-in recovery tools in AutoCAD that can help you recover a corrupted CAD file.​

✅Use the "Recover" Command​

AutoCAD provides the "RECOVER" command, which is specifically designed to open and repair corrupted ".dwg" files.​ Here's how to recover corrupted a CAD file.

Step 1. Double click AutoCAD icon to launch it.​

Step 2. Type "RECOVER" in the command line and press "Enter". ​

Step 3. Browse to the location of your corrupted file and select it.​

AutoCAD will attempt to repair and open the file. If successful, save the repaired file under a new name to avoid overwriting the original.​

✅Use Drawing Utilities​

AutoCAD also offers a Recovery Manager tool, which is specifically designed to help you recover corrupted or damaged files.​

Step 1. Launch AutoCAD and select "Drawing Utilities > Recover > Recover".​

Step 2. Browse to and select the corrupted file to recover.​

Step 3. Review the damaged file information shown in the Open Drawing and click Close.​

Then, the Recover option will repair a damaged drawing file automatically. When the process finishes, you can check the repaired AutoCAD file.

Conclusion

Losing or corrupting a CAD file doesn't have to spell disaster for your project. With a variety of recovery options available within AutoCAD itself, you can handle the problem "how to recover a CAD file" without need others help.

If you're looking for an even more comprehensive solution, or if your computer system is corrupted, a powerful file recovery tool might be the answer. MyRecover, with its Professional and Technician versions, enable you to retrieve lost or deleted files with ease. With the right approach, you can minimize data loss and keep your projects on track.