Is it possible to unload block libraries

[garrisonaw]

I have opened several block libraries in BLOCKSPALETTE, and some of them are no longer being used/needed. 

Is there a way to unload unused block libraries, similar to what the PURGE command does for removing unused blocks?

[imadHabash]

Hi,

You can Remove a Block Library by :

1. Click Window menu > Blocks.
2. Select the Block Libraries pane to display.
3. Click Manage Libraries. 

   The Manage Content Libraries dialog box displays.

4. Select the block library you want to delete.
5. Click - below the list of libraries.
6. Confirm the deletion.
7. Close the Manage Content Libraries dialog box.

[garrisonaw]

---

@imadHabash wrote:

Hi,

You can Remove a Block Library by :

1. Click Window menu > Blocks.
2. Select the Block Libraries pane to display.
3. Click Manage Libraries. 

   The Manage Content Libraries dialog box displays.

4. Select the block library you want to delete.
5. Click - below the list of libraries.
6. Confirm the deletion.
7. Close the Manage Content Libraries dialog box.

---

Maybe I'm just tired, but I can't seem to locate anything resembling a "Manage Libraries" button. And if I search Help for "Manage Content Libraries", I get nothing. Is all that stuff in your comment supposed to actually exist in AutoCAD? I'm using AutoCAD 2021.1

[Anonymous]

I also do not have that option available. Is there a different way to remove block libraries? All I can do is add them.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I have opened several block libraries in BLOCKSPALETTE

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but you can only have one dwg open to display their block-definitions. You can't have multiple block libraries opened.

The list of dwg-files you see is a history list of files you have used previously, but they are not opened.

Do I misunderstand something?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hi Alfred, 

Yes, it's the histories list I am wanting to edit in the block palette but I am unable to find a "manage libraries" icon as described above. I want to remove some drawings from the history list and I think I remember being able to do so as described in previous releases. I am currently using Autocad Architecture 2021.

[pendean]

@Anonymous AutoCADARCH has different libraries, are you perhaps talking about something else? Post a screenshot of what you see and where you see the challenge.

FYI the ARCH version of AutoCAD has its own forum over here https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-architecture/ct-p/4002

[Anonymous]

Hi - here is a screen shot of the options I have available when looking at the block library list.

The "browse block libraries" option at the bottom allows me to add to this list but not remove. 

The "manage block libraries" icon as described by Autodesk is what I can't find.

I have found a work around by temporarily renaming the files I do not want to appear in the list. Doing this gets Autocad to prompt me to remove the missing reference from the list. (Then I can rename the file to it's original name.)

I will see if I can find a solution in the Autocad Architecture forum as well. 

Thanks, 

 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

I searched for it and found it within the registry there:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R24.0\ACAD-4101:409\Profiles\AN_DevNET\Dialogs\BlockStream\BlockLibraries

...where the registry path can differ by

• version number of AutoCAD
• language of AutoCAD
• vertical product like AutoCAD Architecture or Map3D or Civil3D or ...
• profile name

the other part (which should be constant for all systems) is marked in orange.

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

and there exists a second set of files stored in the registry:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R24.0\ACAD-4101:409\Profiles\AN_DevNET\Dialogs\Select Block Library Dialog

If these 2 folders/settings in the registry do not help (and in case I have not found) you can:

• create a dwg-file with a special name like "XXXXXXXXXX.dwg"
• open AutoCAD and use the blockspalette to add this file
• close AutoCAD
• open the registry editor and search for this special filename 😉

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

looks like my previous 2 posts did not really solve the question, there exists another place too where AutoCAD stores links to the files ... In Windows Explorer you can go to this folder:

C:\Users\<LoginName>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2021\R24.0\enu\Recent\Select Block Library Dialog

And even removing the links within this folder does not seem to be a solution ... I'm continue searching ...

- alfred -

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi again,

sorry to say, I have to correct my above posts, they contain valid paths for registry as well as for Windows Explorer.

To resume:

I have found these registry paths where filenames from the recent blocklibrary-list can be found:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\AppDataLow\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R24.0\CoreUser\BlockPreviewUser\Profiles\AN_DevNET\Dialogs\BlockStream\BlockLibraries

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R24.0\ACAD-4101:409\Profiles\AN_DevNET\Dialogs\BlockStream\BlockLibraries

And this Windows Folder:

C:\Users\<LoginName>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2021\R24.0\enu\Recent\Select Block Library Dialog

However, removing any of them or all of them does not clear the list. Also the number of recent files inside the _OPTIONS dialog does not influence the list

I also tried to export the profile as ARG-file ... yes, this contains the list too, edited this list and re-imported the ARG-file and created a new profile from this ... did not solve the question.

So, for now I have tried all I could imagine where it is stored, I have searched the whole registry as well as the whole harddisk for files containing this special filename (mentioned above), however, I have not found any further location where I was able to modify this list.

The only (bad) workaround could be to rename the files, then start AutoCAD and select each of them. That gives you a message, that the file does not exist and if you want to remove it from the recent files list.

Sorry, for now I have no further ideas, hope someone else finds the source of this history, - alfred -

[a_butler · Accepted solution]

Bit of work around but if you move the blocks library folder location you have added to another location. Then open the pallet in cad it will tell you it no longer exists and give you the option to remove it.

[nitro-chapea]

In case of AutoCAD 2025 for Mac I've found the following solution.

1. Quit AutoCAD.
2. Open file HKCU_V1.plist located in folder /Users/<your_user_name>/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2025/R25.0/local in any App capable to edit plist-files and remove :
   • all records having keys starting with HKEY_CURRENT_USER.DIALOGS.BLOCKSTREAM.BLOCKLIBRARIES.LIBRARY
   • record with key HKEY_CURRENT_USER.DIALOGS.BLOCKSTREAM.LASTACCESSEDLIBRARY
   • record with key HKEY_CURRENT_USER.DIALOGS.BLOCKSTREAM.LASTACCESSEDLIBRARYNODE
3. Save HKCU_V1.plist file
4. Start AutoCAD