What is an AutoCAD SV$ file?

An AutoCAD SV$ (Automatic Save) file is a temporary backup file AutoCAD creates while you work on a drawing. Its purpose is to protect you from data loss if AutoCAD crashes, the system fails, or the drawing is closed without saving.

Explanation

AutoCAD automatically creates SV$ files at configured intervals as part of its AutoSave feature. These files contain a recent copy of your drawing and are intended for temporary recovery only — they are not meant to replace regular saved DWG files.

• What SV$ files are: temporary autosave copies of your drawing with the extension .sv$.
• When they are created: periodically, based on the AutoSave interval (default often 10 minutes).
• Where they are stored: in the folder defined by AutoCAD under Options > Files > Automatic Save File Location, or in system temp folders (e.g., AppData\Local\Temp) if not changed.
• How they differ from other backups: .bak files are created when you manually save a DWG and represent the previous saved state; .sv$ files are created automatically during editing.

How to recover an AutoCAD SV$ file — step‑by‑step

1. Locate the SV$ file:

   • Open AutoCAD and go to Options > Files > Automatic Save File Location to see the configured folder.
   • Or use file explorer and search for *.sv$ across your user profile or temp folders.

2. Make a copy:

   • Before doing anything, copy the .sv$ file to another folder (Desktop or Documents) so you preserve the original.

3. Rename the file extension:

   • Change the extension from .sv$ to .dwg (for example, drawing001.sv$ → drawing001.dwg).
   • If extensions are hidden in Windows, enable “Show file name extensions” in File Explorer.

4. Open the renamed file in AutoCAD:

   • Use AutoCAD’s OPEN command to open the renamed .DWG file.
   • If AutoCAD reports problems, use the RECOVER command: type RECOVER in the command line and select the file.

5. Use drawing recovery Manager (if available):

   • After a crash, AutoCAD typically opens the Drawing Recovery Manager automatically. Check it for available autosave versions and open the most recent one.

6. Save recovered drawing:

   • After opening a recovered file, immediately use SAVEAS to store it to a safe location and under a new filename to avoid overwriting other files.

Alternative recovery methods

• Use AutoCAD’s RECOVERALL and AUDIT commands to correct issues after opening a recovered file.
• If .sv$ renaming fails, try opening a .bak file by renaming .bak to .dwg and opening it.
• Use DWG TrueView (free from Autodesk) or another DWG viewer/editor to open a renamed .dwg if your AutoCAD version has compatibility issues.
• If the file seems corrupted, try importing via DXF conversion: export or convert the drawing using a converter or another CAD program that can read partial content.
• Cloud backups: if you use AutoCAD Web/Cloud or a cloud-synced folder (OneDrive, Dropbox), check the cloud version history.

Common errors and fixes

• Error: “Invalid file format” or cannot Open file

  • Fix: Make a copy of the file and try opening in a different AutoCAD/DWG TrueView version. Use RECOVER then AUDIT. If still failing, try a DXF conversion or a third‑party DWG recovery tool.

• Error: AutoCAD doesn’t show any autosaves after a crash

  • Fix: Check Options > Files > Automatic Save File Location for the folder. Search system temp folders for *.sv$. If AutoSave was disabled or interval set high, autosaves may not exist.

• Error: Recovered file missing recent work

  • Fix: Autosave frequency may not have captured the latest edits. Search for multiple *.sv$ files and check their timestamps. Also check any .bak files.

• Error: File permissions / access denied

  • Fix: Copy the file to a user folder (Desktop) and ensure the account has read/write permissions. Disable antivirus or exclude the folder temporarily if it blocks access.

• Error: Opening an SV$ overwrote the original DWG

  • Fix: Always work on a copy of the .sv$ file and save recovered content under a new name using SAVEAS.

Best practices & tips

• Set a practical AutoSave interval: go to Options > Open and Save > Automatic save and set it to a short interval (e.g., 5 minutes) for critical projects.
• Keep regular manual saves using SAVE or QSAVE. Autosave supplements but does not replace manual saves.
• Configure a dedicated Automatic Save File Location on a fast drive with sufficient space (avoid network drives that may be unstable).
• Use versioned backups: enable automatic .bak creation and keep copies in a cloud-synced folder for offsite redundancy.
• After recovering, run RECOVER then AUDIT to fix drawing database issues.
• If you frequently work with large files, increase system resources (RAM, SSD) to reduce crashes and improve autosave reliability.
• Teach the team to always copy an .sv$ before renaming/opening to avoid accidental loss.

FAQ

Can I open an .sv$ file without AutoCAD?

Yes: by renaming the file extension from .sv$ to .dwg you can open it with AutoCAD, DWG TrueView, or other DWG-compatible viewers/editors. Always work on a copy.

How long does AutoCAD keep SV$ files?

AutoCAD does not maintain a long-term retention for .sv$ files; they are temporary. They may be deleted when you close AutoCAD normally, when the system temp folder is cleaned, or by cleanup tools. For long-term retention use regular saves and backups.

Will opening an .sv$ overwrite my original drawing?

No, if you first copy the .sv$ and rename the copy. However, opening and saving the recovered file with the same name and location as the original will overwrite that file. Use SAVEAS to avoid overwriting.

Why can’t I find any *.sv$ files after a crash?

Possible reasons: AutoSave was disabled or set to a long interval, the autosave folder is on a network or temp location that was cleared, or a cleanup utility removed temp files. Check Options > Files > Automatic Save File Location and search the system temp folders.

Can SV$ files recover a corrupted DWG?

Sometimes. If the DWG became corrupted and AutoCAD had previously created an .sv$, that autosave may contain a usable copy. Use RECOVER and AUDIT to attempt repair. If autosave isn’t available, try .bak, DXF conversion, or professional recovery tools.

How do I reduce the number of autosave files?

Autosave creates a single file per drawing at each interval; cleanup occurs on normal exit. To reduce perceived clutter: set a reasonable autosave interval, set a dedicated autosave folder, and avoid system temp cleaners that permanently delete in-use autosaves.

Are SV$ files safe to keep?

They are safe as temporary recovery files, but they are not a substitute for regular saved DWG files and backups. Move important recovered files to secure storage and use versioned backups or cloud sync for long-term safety.