How to Recover UnSaved/Deleted AutoCAD Files  

How to Recover UnSaved/Deleted AutoCAD Files

Updated on Jun 13, 2024 | by Edwards

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Some people are asking questions related to AutoCAD files, such as how to retrieve deleted or unsaved files, and how to recover lost DWG files. There are many questions about AutoCAD, including how to get back unsaved files, restore unsaved work, and retrieve deleted files. I will explain how to open autosave files and find lost AutoCAD files on both Mac and Windows systems in the following text.

Part 1. Scenarios for the Need of AutoCAD File Recovery and What to Do

Regardless of the reason why your AutoCAD file was lost, the first step is to stop using your computer immediately to prevent any further operations from overwriting the data and making the file irretrievable. To recover the lost AutoCAD file, you need to find a suitable recovery solution, such as recovering an unsaved AutoCAD file or opening the sv$ file in AutoCAD, and act on it as soon as possible.

Part 2. How to Recover Unsaved AutoCAD File

When creating an AutoCAD file with a .dwg extension, a backup file with a .bak extension is also created. If the AutoCAD file hasn't been saved, check if a file with the same name exists in the same location. If it does, copy it to your desktop, replace the .bak extension with .dwg, and confirm the operation to successfully retrieve the unsaved AutoCAD file or recover the unsaved drawing.

If you don't have an AutoCAD file backup and want to recover an unsaved file, look for a .sv$ file, which is the Automatic Save file. This file may contain all the elements you need. To recover the unsaved file, replace the .sv$ extension with .dwg and it should open. This is the solution for opening a .sv$ file.

Part 3. How to Restore Deleted/Missing/Lost AutoCAD Files

If you've lost an unsaved AutoCAD file, the methods in part 2 can help you recover it. However, if you've deleted or lost an AutoCAD file intentionally or unintentionally, you'll need the help of a professional Windows or Mac recovery software, such as Deep Data Recovery, which is a trustworthy and efficient tool.

To recover deleted AutoCAD files, you can use a data recovery software that scans your computer or external hard drive to find and restore lost drawings. This software allows you to preview the files and selectively recover the ones you need, making it a popular tool for recovering deleted AutoCAD files. It has separate versions for Windows and Mac, and can be used to find and recover deleted files from your computer or external hard drive.

Your Safe & Effective AutoCAD File Recovery Software

(Trust Score 4.7 by 2693 Users)
  • This software offers two scanning modes to efficiently recover AutoCAD files that have been lost due to various reasons such as accidental deletion, drive formatting, emptied recycle bin, or virus attacks.
  • It can recover data from various storage devices including pen drives, hard drives, USB drives, SD cards, external hard disks, and more.
  • The software is fully compatible with Windows 11/10/7/8/XP/Vista and Mac OS X 10.6 and later, allowing users to recover AutoCAD files in these operating systems.

Three Steps to Recover AutoCAD Files on Windows PC or Mac

  1. Install Data Recovery
  2. To recover a corrupted DWG file, download the DWG file recovery software from the website, choosing the correct version for your Mac or Windows operating system. Install the tool on your computer and use it to recover your AutoCAD file.

  3. Select Partition/Drive to Scan
  4. Connect the external hard drive to your computer, select the partition or drive where the AutoCAD file was saved, and click "Scan" to recover the lost AutoCAD files.

    recover dwg file
  5. Get Deleted AutoCAD Files Back
  6. When the scanning process is complete, you can view all found files in the result window. Check the AutoCAD files, select the correct one, and click "Recover" to save and recover the AutoCAD file on your computer.

    recover autocad file

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