topic Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW) in AutoCAD Forum

RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

jimmygunz37 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:01:24 GMT

Hi All,

This is a continuing problem...

When I restart autocad, or even just close out of some files, and go to the 'A' menu to reopen; i NEVER see the most recent/last files i was using... It is always last weeks or further. I have tried switching the sort for the recent files and still nothing... it is a real problem because i jump between jobs many times a day and find myself constantly having to navigate back to it. Its pretty frustrating, as some files are named similar and/or they are buried in file hierarchy (and multiple iterations, like w-blocks to issue for production) due to the dynamics of the project; but i always use the 1 file as the working file and its never shown.

All files are local, none have been moved, or renamed, this includes all folders and sub folders....

Anyone else have this issue? dont know if there is another option for this or if it is a bug in Autocad...

Thanks!

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

Patchy — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:15:42 GMT

Right click on the screen, go to OPTIONS

Try this

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

jimmygunz37 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:23:47 GMT

Thanks, but don't think thats the issue... I have 9 set for amount shown... it just never shows the last one/few closed... and therefore technically isn't displaying the most "recent" files... I have tried all the sort options and nothing.

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

Jason.P — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:29:41 GMT

You could try first adjusting your number of files options as was all ready mentioned.

And if that does not work, you can try your adjusting your "by order list" or is that the "sort" feature you are talking about.

Keep me posted as to how this works out for you.

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

Jason.P — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:34:33 GMT

Have you tried opening a blank drawing, then going to the file tab and open. You may have to search for your drawing the first time you do it, but after that it should open this way for you all the time.

Or go open, and on the left panel frame there is the history button, click that.

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

ChicagoLooper — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:44:07 GMT

There are several ways to alleviate your problem. Here's one such way. (This works best if you use tabs 'File Tabs' which are typically displayed below the ribbon and above modelspace.)

Change you STARTUP variable to '2.' Go to Express Tools Tab==>Tools Panel==>System Vaiables Button. Image-1.
Change by increasing NUMBER OF RECENTLY-USED FILES. Go to Options==>Open and Save Tab=>Application Menu section==>Change the number. Image-2.

Image-1

Image-2

NOTE:

Increasing the number of recently used files will proportionately increase the time it takes for AutoCAD to load upon startup. The higher the number, the more lengthy the load time.

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

pendean — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:08:33 GMT

Show us what you see exactly. And what does ABOUT command say is your exact AutoCAD version number?

How do you open your DWG files exactly? You know, the ones that never appear on the list.
Is there a pattern?

Are you in a limited user account in Windows? DO you have local admin rights? No to one or more might also be your problem.

Are you aware that most of us who jump between many projects all day also use OPEN command's side bar to add frequently sought folders as well as use that sidebar's HISTORY list to do the same thing too? Ever try to use it?

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

virginia.fry.design — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:58:02 GMT

I went through his as well. I can understand changing setting for drawing and plotting functions but this is a very basic thing that should work out of the box. One would think "Recent files" to anyone would mean the last you worked on displayed at the top by default.

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

pendean — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:00:58 GMT

@virginia.fry.design The ability you seek only works when you ONLY use OPEN command from inside the program to access all of your DWG files.

Give it a try for a month and see for yourself. It works as designed.

Still having issues? Then start a support ticket through your subscription portal as explained here nd see if they can help explore your system, setup and processes in more detail specific to you https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/account-management/users-software/support-options#:~:text=To%20contact%20support%3A,to%20access%20help%20and%20support.

HTH

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

TheCADnoob — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:06:03 GMT

One of the reason i love these forums is seeing the way other people use the program. I never used the recent file feature. Only recently have i started to use it (though not in AutoCAD) . I would be curious to see if/when this happens how the recent files listed in AutoCAD compare (dwg wise) to the the recent files list in windows.

Re: RECENT FILE - NEVER SHOWS THE LAST FILE/FEW OPEN (FEW)

des.macdonald — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 17:48:32 GMT

This did the trick. Thanks!