AutoCAD LT 2025 not creating backup or usable temp files under Parallels?

[hodin_ink]

AutoCAD &/or Windows 11 froze while running under Parallels Desktop (v.1.9.3.) and I force quit it from the Activity Monitor, but there isn't a usable temp or even a backup file where I would expect to find it:

C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Temp\

By "usable" I mean a file of similar or same size of the working DWG file. In fact the above path is not even visible while navigating in Windows 11 and only reachable by copy+paste of the path from the AutoCAD Options file tree for "Automatic Save File Location".  I have little experience with Windows 11, but plenty of experience with AutoCAD freezing under Windows 10 on a PC. I guess I have been relatively lucky in not experiencing any issues until now (about 4 months in with this setup) and typically keep the working DWG file(s) in the Mac/Finder environment.

AutoCad file recovery is no help either as the file it opens is at the same state as when I initially opened it up today.

Typically working on my PC under Windows 10 I have no problem locating a recent temp or AutoCAD backup file, renaming the suffix, and getting back to work, but under Windows 11 in Parallels on my silicon MacbookPro I'm feeling a bit lost. About three hours worth of work lost, plus another couple of hours trying to troubleshoot. Typically I intentionally save with key command while working, but it's possible I didn't do this today. Anyway, I would expect to find the autosave file but there isn't one. 

I tried to replace the Parallels .pvm from Time Machine but for some reason there wasn't an incremental backup of the file within the time frame I was working on the AutoCAD file. 

I would appreciate help with:

1) ensuring AutoCAD creates temp & backup files in the future

2) a sure fire way to locate the files in Windows 11

3) the preferred way to force quit Windows under Parallels Desktop

4) ?

[hodin_ink]

AutoCAD &/or Windows 11 froze while running under Parallels Desktop (v.1.9.3.) and I force quit it from the Activity Monitor, but there isn't a usable temp or even a backup file where I would expect to find it:

C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Local\Temp\

By "usable" I mean a file of similar or same size of the working DWG file. In fact the above path is not even visible while navigating in Windows 11 and only reachable by copy+paste of the path from the AutoCAD Options file tree for "Automatic Save File Location".  I have little experience with Windows 11, but plenty of experience with AutoCAD freezing under Windows 10 on a PC. I guess I have been relatively lucky in not experiencing any issues until now (about 4 months in with this setup) and typically keep the working DWG file(s) in the Mac/Finder environment.

AutoCad file recovery is no help either as the file it opens is at the same state as when I initially opened it up today.

Typically working on my PC under Windows 10 I have no problem locating a recent temp or AutoCAD backup file, renaming the suffix, and getting back to work, but under Windows 11 in Parallels on my silicon MacbookPro I'm feeling a bit lost. About three hours worth of work lost, plus another couple of hours trying to troubleshoot. Typically I intentionally save with key command while working, but it's possible I didn't do this today. Anyway, I would expect to find the autosave file but there isn't one. 

I tried to replace the Parallels .pvm from Time Machine but for some reason there wasn't an incremental backup of the file within the time frame I was working on the AutoCAD file. 

I would appreciate help with:

1) ensuring AutoCAD creates temp & backup files in the future

2) a sure fire way to locate the files in Windows 11

3) the preferred way to force quit Windows under Parallels Desktop

4) ?

[hodin_ink]

One additional detail, likely of consequence: when I restarted Windows it automatically ran a system update and there was no warning or option to cancel it. ~:(

[hodin_ink]

One additional detail, likely of consequence: when I restarted Windows it automatically ran a system update and there was no warning or option to cancel it. ~:(

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

You may not see that folder because by default Windows File Explorer has Hidden files turned on. So follow these instructions to enable viewing of hidden files. 
Now as to why your AutoCAD LT is not creating  autosave files, make sure savetime is given a number greater than 0 like 10. Then run a test. Open a dwg make some changes like draw some lines and then don’t do anything else for 10 minutes. After that open the folder to where the autosave file is created and see if it shows up. Lastly make sure you’ve downloaded and installed the latest AutoCAD LT updates for your version. 

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

You may not see that folder because by default Windows File Explorer has Hidden files turned on. So follow these instructions to enable viewing of hidden files. 
Now as to why your AutoCAD LT is not creating  autosave files, make sure savetime is given a number greater than 0 like 10. Then run a test. Open a dwg make some changes like draw some lines and then don’t do anything else for 10 minutes. After that open the folder to where the autosave file is created and see if it shows up. Lastly make sure you’ve downloaded and installed the latest AutoCAD LT updates for your version. 

[pendean · Accepted solution]

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@hodin_ink wrote:

One additional detail, likely of consequence: when I restarted Windows it automatically ran a system update and there was no warning or option to cancel it. ~:(

---

That's how Windows works: perhaps you need to be running the AutoCADLT2025 for MAC natively in your MacOS?

Have you seen this troubleshooting guide from Autodesk about your issue:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Backup-files-not-b...

Also, have you installed the 2025.1 Update yet? it's new, ABOUT command in your AutoCAD will confirm what you have installed. If not, get it from your Autodesk Account Page here https://manage.autodesk.com/cep/#products-services/updates
Restart your WindowsOS afterwards.

HTH

[pendean · Accepted solution]

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@hodin_ink wrote:

One additional detail, likely of consequence: when I restarted Windows it automatically ran a system update and there was no warning or option to cancel it. ~:(

---

That's how Windows works: perhaps you need to be running the AutoCADLT2025 for MAC natively in your MacOS?

Have you seen this troubleshooting guide from Autodesk about your issue:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Backup-files-not-b...

Also, have you installed the 2025.1 Update yet? it's new, ABOUT command in your AutoCAD will confirm what you have installed. If not, get it from your Autodesk Account Page here https://manage.autodesk.com/cep/#products-services/updates
Restart your WindowsOS afterwards.

HTH

[hodin_ink]

I searched the knowledge base first before coming to the forum but the search didn't turn up any usable results. 

— I use LT at work on a PC, but I'm a long time Mac user, so when I'm working at home in LT I prefer to have the interface match what I'm used to, rather than needing to switch back and forth. This is a new project for me, working with Windows 11 in Parallels. So far (before yesterday) it has been stable, more stable than Windows 10 on my PC. 

— Thank you for the TIMESAVE tip, it worked, so far. Also for the notification of an update. Is there a setting in AutoCAD that lets you know if an update is available, or do I need to keep logging in online to check? 

I will try to make a habit of regularly checking the autosave function BEFORE I need it!

Many thanks for the input!

[hodin_ink]

I searched the knowledge base first before coming to the forum but the search didn't turn up any usable results. 

— I use LT at work on a PC, but I'm a long time Mac user, so when I'm working at home in LT I prefer to have the interface match what I'm used to, rather than needing to switch back and forth. This is a new project for me, working with Windows 11 in Parallels. So far (before yesterday) it has been stable, more stable than Windows 10 on my PC. 

— Thank you for the TIMESAVE tip, it worked, so far. Also for the notification of an update. Is there a setting in AutoCAD that lets you know if an update is available, or do I need to keep logging in online to check? 

I will try to make a habit of regularly checking the autosave function BEFORE I need it!

Many thanks for the input!

[RSomppi]

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@hodin_ink wrote:

I will try to make a habit of regularly checking the autosave function BEFORE I need it!

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That would be a neat trick, but wouldn't it eliminate the need for autosave? If you know that you're going to need it, wouldn't you just avoid whatever was going to cause the crash or just simply save right before it happens?

[RSomppi]

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@hodin_ink wrote:

I will try to make a habit of regularly checking the autosave function BEFORE I need it!

---

That would be a neat trick, but wouldn't it eliminate the need for autosave? If you know that you're going to need it, wouldn't you just avoid whatever was going to cause the crash or just simply save right before it happens?

[pendean · Accepted solution]

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@hodin_ink wrote:

...Is there a setting in AutoCAD that lets you know if an update is available, or do I need to keep logging in online to check?...

---

On the MAC version, yes: on the Windows version, no, you'll have to install an additional tool called Autodesk Access, it works often but fails occasionally to keep you current. regardless of what is installed now, you should grab the latest version from here 

https://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-access/overview 

[pendean · Accepted solution]

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@hodin_ink wrote:

...Is there a setting in AutoCAD that lets you know if an update is available, or do I need to keep logging in online to check?...

---

On the MAC version, yes: on the Windows version, no, you'll have to install an additional tool called Autodesk Access, it works often but fails occasionally to keep you current. regardless of what is installed now, you should grab the latest version from here 

https://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-access/overview 

[hodin_ink]

Indeed, a bit of a Catch-22. By regular I didn't mean often, just occasionally, like once a week or so, to run the SAVETIME test. 🙂

[hodin_ink]

Indeed, a bit of a Catch-22. By regular I didn't mean often, just occasionally, like once a week or so, to run the SAVETIME test. 🙂