BIM Software Tips: How to Backup Files in AutoCAD
Backup (.bak) Files
Every manual save in AutoCAD typically creates a backup file with the .bak extension. By default, this backup file is saved in the same folder as the original DWG drawing and shares the same filename, but with the .bak extension—for example, site_topo.bak.
The backup file is an exact copy of the last saved DWG file and represents the previous version of your drawing. Keep in mind that only one backup file is maintained per drawing; each new backup overwrites the previous one with the same name.
Note: Backup files are only created if the system variable ISAVEBACK is set to 1.
To recover data from a backup, simply rename the .bak file extension to .dwg and open it in AutoCAD.
MOVEBAK Command
The MOVEBAK command, part of the AutoCAD Express Tools, lets you specify a different folder for storing backup files instead of keeping them in the same directory as the original drawings. This is useful if you want to centralize all backup files in a single location.
When enabled, MOVEBAK automatically moves all .bak files to the designated folder whenever they are created. You can reset AutoCAD to its default behavior by entering ; as the value.
Note: The MOVEBAK command is only available in Autodesk products that include AutoCAD Express Tools. Additionally, recent updates may have limited support for folder paths containing spaces.
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