How Do I Recover an Unsaved File in SolidWorks?

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Have you ever spent hours working on a project in SolidWorks, only to realize that you forgot to save it and the program crashed? It’s a frustrating experience, but don’t worry – there are ways to recover your unsaved files in SolidWorks. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to help you retrieve your work and minimize the loss of data.

Method 1: Auto-recover

If you have enabled the auto-recover feature in SolidWorks, there’s a good chance that your unsaved file will be automatically recovered when you relaunch the software. To do this:

  • Step 1: Close SolidWorks after the crash or unexpected closure.
  • Step 2: Open SolidWorks again.
  • Step 3: In the Welcome dialog box, click on “Recover” under the “Recent documents” section.
  • Step 4: Select the file you want to recover from the list of available options.
  • Step 5: Click on “Open” to open the recovered file.

Method 2: Temporary Files

If auto-recover didn’t work, there’s still hope! SolidWorks creates temporary files as backup copies periodically while you’re working on a project. Follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Open Windows Explorer (Windows key + E).
  • Step 2: Navigate to the folder where SolidWorks stores temporary files. The default location is usually C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Temp\SolidWorks AutoSave.
  • Step 3: Look for a file with a .SLDASM extension (for assemblies) or a .SLDPRT extension (for parts) that matches the name of your unsaved project.
  • Step 4: Copy the file to a safe location.
  • Step 5: Open SolidWorks and use the “Open” command to open the recovered file.

Method 3: Backup Files

If you have enabled backup files in SolidWorks, there’s another chance to recover your unsaved file. Here’s how:

  • Step 1: Open SolidWorks and go to “Tools” > “Options”.
  • Step 2: In the Options dialog box, click on “Backup/Recover” in the left-hand menu.
  • Step 3: Check the box next to “Create backup copy of files before saving”.
  • Step 4: Click on “OK” to save the changes.

If you encounter an unexpected closure or crash, SolidWorks will create a backup copy of your work with an appended filename extension. To recover your unsaved file using a backup copy, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Open Windows Explorer (Windows key + E).
  • Step 2: Navigate to the folder where you saved your original project file.
  • Note: The backup copy will have the same name as your original file but with an appended extension like – “Backup of YourFileName.sldasm” or “Backup of YourFileName.sldprt”.
  • Step 3: Copy the backup file to a safe location.
  • Step 4: Change the extension of the backup file to .SLDASM (for assemblies) or .SLDPRT (for parts).

Conclusion

In conclusion, losing an unsaved file in SolidWorks can be a frustrating experience. However, by using the auto-recover feature, searching for temporary files, and utilizing backup files, you have a good chance of recovering your work.

Remember to regularly save your projects to prevent any future data loss. With these methods in your arsenal, you can minimize the impact of unexpected closures or crashes and continue working on your projects with peace of mind.