Installing 2022 on Windows 7

[peterm]

Is there a way to install AutoCAD 2022 on a Windows 7 machine?

[leowarren34 · Accepted solution]

Hi @peterm,

In terms of support - No. Windows 7 is now out of support from Microsoft. 

Whilst the 2022 minimum requirements haven't been released yet, the OS settings are likely to be the same as 2021.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-r...

However, this does not necessarily mean it will not install just that you may encounter issues in the long term.

[peterm]

Hi Leo.

Thanks for replying.

I'm currently running AutoCAD 2021 on Windows 7 with no problems.

AutoCAD 2022 refuses to install as it says it's not compatible.

I am unable to update my PC to Windows 10 due to an unusual RAID setup.

So it leaves me stuck with AutoCAD 2021 and still paying a very expensive subscription fee.

[mdavis22569]

For:

I'm currently running AutoCAD 2021 on Windows 7 with no problems.

For  now ... but if there are corruption or issues on the Autodesk Side and W7, they won't be fixed.    That's why 2020 and up are only supported on Windows 10.

As times goes on you might see C++/.NET issues. Where it requires say 4.8 ( I believe 2022 does) and you can't install it for Windows 7

[porca_paletta]

Try this: go to the C:/Autodesk/yoursoftware2022 folder and open setup.xml with a notepad (or any  other text editor); find the line

<Platforms>  <Platform name="Windows" architecture="x64" minVersion="10.0.14393" useNTVersion="true"/>

Replace minVersion "value" with Win7 value (for Win7 with all updates, it's 6.1.7601): minVersion="6.1.7601"; then save the file and try to install

Of course since Win7 is not officially suported, you might have bugs, crashes and issues that will never be fixed by AD

[pendean]

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-r...

[mdavis22569]

With @pendean 

Run it on the approved requirements.  They are there for a reason.   

Every week I see a ticket about oh Autodesk this or that .. software is junk.    Then you get their PC specs and it's a 10 year old video card or running it on an OS that's not approved. 

[peterm]

Thanks for that suggestion.

Unfortunately the installation process doesn't get as far as creating any new 2022 folders or downloading any files.

So I can't try that.

[peterm]

Hi Michael,

I never said the software was junk. I was just asking if there was a way round installing it under Windows 7. Otherwise we're going to have to shell out several thousand pounds for a new PC, or stick with AutoCAD 2021.

[mdavis22569]

didn't say you .. what I see weekly. 

What I was saying it people try to get by without using the system requirements. 


I wouldn't use 2020 or newer on it. They aren't meant to run on W7.     

You would likely see faster results / respond times etc on a W10 and 2021 - 2022 vs W7. 

Less likely to see crashing etc.

So if you  have any issues and lagging lets say. That's $$ either way being spent. While it's on a new PC or taking longer to get a job done.  

[peterm]

Well so far I've had no stability issues or lagging. So it looks like I'll be sticking with 2021 for a while. Not that there's much new in 2022 anyway.

[porca_paletta]

I bet you're using Web Installer ("Install now" or "Download now" option): download the full offline installer ("Browser Download" option in you account) instead and run it (NEVER use web installation, NEVER!!): it will unpack the instaler then it'll start the installation process, stating that you can't install; exit the installation and do as I said in my previous post, then run the setup.exe in C:/Autodesk/2022software  😉

[peterm]

I was actually using the Autodesk Desktop App.

I don't see an option to download it without installing.

[mdavis22569]

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/installation-licensing/2022-products-direct-download-links/td-p/10178...

[peterm]

Thanks Michael,

I'll give that a go.

[TravisNave]

I have this working on Windows 7.  I will test my methods again on a 2nd Win7 machine and probably write up a FAQ on this.  Keep posted!

[porca_paletta]

NEVER use ADSKApp, go to yor account page

https://manage.autodesk.com/cep/

or use AVA

https://ava.autodesk.com/modular/?module=download

And choose "Browser download"

[peterm]

That did the job.

I've now installed AutoCAD 2022, but it doesn't seem to like my video driver and switches off hardware acceleration.

I have an nVidia Geforce GTX 980 Ti and the error message is "Error loading heidi module acaddm16.hdi"

[mdavis22569 · Accepted solution]

Older card .. but should work

Can you type 3dconfig and share a screenshot of it.

Checking if this is what you're seeing:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/simplecontent/content/how-to-mak...

Also:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-... 

[peterm]

Here's my 3dconfig setup

I'll have a go as you've suggested.