Using the SOLIDWORKS Backup and Auto-Recovery Options

SOLIDWORKS Auto-Recover Options

The first section of the System Options window is for the auto-recovery options. In this section, you can set the directory and frequency at which SOLIDWORKS will save auto-recover files for the current document.

Auto-recover options in SOLIDWORKS

With auto-recovery files activated, SOLIDWORKS will maintain the save points as you are working. In the event of a crash, SOLIDWORKS will show you the recovered files under the Alerts tab of the Welcome dialog, and they will be cleared once the file is successfully saved again.

Key Considerations for the SOLIDWORKS Auto-Recovery

• Auto-recovery files will only be saved after the document has been saved at least once.
• The default location for the saves is C:\Users\$username\AppData\Local\Temp\SWBackupDirectory\swxauto20XX.
• If the default location is changed, it must reside on a local drive, as the auto-recover files cannot be saved over a network.

Options de sauvegarde de SOLIDWORKS

Options for backups in SOLIDWORKS

Every time you save a document, SOLIDWORKS saves a backup document of your file. The backup version of the file is a backup of the original document before any changes are made to the file after the save.

Key Considerations for the SOLIDWORKS Backups

• Multiple backups of a document are named with the most recent version. For example, the second backup will be named Backup(2).
• The default location for the saves is C:\Users\$username\AppData\Local\Temp\SWBackupDirectory
• If the default location is changed, it must reside on a local drive, as the auto-recover files cannot be saved over a network.
• Removing older backups will occur on SOLIDWORKS startup.

Option de rappel de sauvegarde de SOLIDWORKS

As of SOLIDWORKS 2022, the save reminder pop-up is listed in the SOLIDWORKS System Options under the Messages/Errors/Warnings section.

SOLIDWORKS setting to control save notification in 2022

Before SOLIDWORKS 2022

In SOLIDWORKS 2021 and older, the save reminder pop-up is listed in the SOLIDWORKS System Options under the Backup/Recover section.

Setting to control save notification before SOLIDWORKS 2022

Stay Protected From SOLIDWORKS Crashes

The SOLIDWORKS backup and auto-recovery settings help to keep your parts, assemblies, and drawings safe in the event of a catastrophe. These options provide safeguards from data loss when you are working locally, but do not work as well when working over a network.

In instances where you save files to a network drive or work collaboratively with others, it is important to adopt a CAD-aware data management system. Using a dedicated data management system tracks part changes, takes automatic backups, and can restore older versions of files with minimal data loss.

To learn more about CAD-aware data management, read our guide here.