Content Center Library "Not Available"

[foolishgrunt]

About a year and a half ago, I created a read/write library to hold custom content center parts. Then I migrated from Inventor 2023 to 2025, and upgraded my libraries with no issues. A few months ago, I got a new computer and installed 2025 - I somehow managed to transfer the library to the new computer (I don't for sure remember how, but I figure I probably copied the .idcl file from my old computer to my new).

Today, however, I noticed that one of the custom parts from this library was not available in the Content Center. I'm a good 75% (but no, not 100%) confident that I have used this custom part since I got the new computer. So I go to File > Manage > Projects > Configure Content Center Libraries, and I see this:

My custom library is the one at the top of the list. So I navigate to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Inventor 2025\Content Center\Libraries, and I see the .idcl file is missing. I guess that explains why my library is shown as "Not Available." But...

Question #1: why does it show up as "Not Available" instead of simply being gone?

Question #2: what would cause this library to suddenly axe itself?
Question #3: how do I work around it?

Related to that last question, I am unable to delete the library from Configure Libraries window - the button is grayed out. And if I create a new library to try to rebuild from scratch, the "OK" button is also grayed out; my only option is "Cancel," which means that any new library that I create is immediately deactivated when I exit, and I am unable to add anything to it from the Content Center Editor. What gives?

[BDCollett · Accepted solution]

Question #1: why does it show up as "Not Available" instead of simply being gone?

The Project file was saved with it selected. It keeps it there, but as "Not Available". Usually it shows as red though:

Question #2: what would cause this library to suddenly axe itself?

Never seen that. Are you sure the mapping for the location was the same? Maybe you had a different location before and now it's back to the default location.

Question #3: how do I work around it?

Paste if back into the correct location. If it disappears again, look at antivirus or why. Inventor will not be the cause.

The reason you cannot make any changes is because the Project file is locked (in use or if Vault, not checked out)

Do you use Vault? If not, close all the files in Inventor to release the Project file for editing.

If you do use Vault, it may be that you had the Vault selected for these libraries and that is where your custom library is located as well.

[foolishgrunt]

You're right that my project file wasn't checked out from Vault - so I checked it out and was able to reproduce my custom part with no further issues. Thanks!

As far as what happened to the .idcl file, it's *possible* that my 25% uncertainty is actually the truth - I may have never transferred the file over from my old computer. At any rate, I'll keep an eye on it and see if the issue returns - if so I'll know there's some skullduggery.

[BDCollett]

If you use Vault, it is best to just add the library to Vault and use it there. That was it will be migrated when you update and you will not lose it.

[foolishgrunt]

Already done 🙂