If you are trying to install your old version of AutoCAD 2007 on Windows 11 you can run into lots of problems. Because there are so many issues, we created an App called the Longbow Converter to automatically smooth over installation and running issues for you. All you need to do is follow these steps to install your AutoCAD 2007 on Windows 11 and make it work…
IMPORTANT NOTE: Autodesk no longer supply License Activation codes for this version of AutoCAD. The best way is to transfer your existing license to the new PC but there are other options, we document them here
Ransomware Protection Windows 11 and AutoCAD
Just before we start note that Windows 11 comes with a Ransomware Protection which includes Controlled Folder Access. Controlled folder access blocks applications from writing to your Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Public and Favorites folders. AutoCAD versions all the way to AutoCAD 2021 write to certain user Public folders and are therefore blocked by this feature. This can cause issues with all sorts of things including activating your AutoCAD license and even running AutoCAD. Ransomware Protection is an important feature of Windows 11 but it will affect your AutoCAD unless you allow AutoCAD and its dependent applications access to the controlled folders.
How to install AutoCAD 2007
A quick word of advice: please follow the instructions below precisely as documented (including using the same folder names and paths) as this will significantly reduce the risk of having any problems…
- If you don’t yet have a copy of the Longbow Converter App you can purchase it here or click on the download link we sent you via email in order to download the Converter App to your PC.
- Before installing the Converter App, make sure the files downloaded from our site are not blocked by Windows SmartScreen… Windows 11 is finicky, click the TLC zip first to make sure it’s fully selected then Right+click the file and select Properties. Be sure to check the Unblock checkbox as shown below and Click OK…
- Double click the zip file to open it and install the TLC application as normal. By the way, TLC stands for The Longbow Converter
- Now, start the Longbow Converter tool by double clicking the Longbow Converter shortcut on your Desktop…
- Start the Longbow Converter tool
- Insert your AutoCAD 2007 CD into your CDRom drive
- Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver”
- Using the “…” button, path the to your AutoCAD 2007 CD
- Click “Run Old Installer”
- Read and follow all the prompts
- If you see a dialog stating “An App on your PC needs the following Windows Feature: .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)” be sure to click “Download and install this feature” as this must be installed in order for the setup to run
- Once the AutoCAD 2007 setup starts, stop and read the next step…
- In the setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, with these exceptions…
- When you click the Install link from your setup you may see a dialog box appear saying – “This program has compatibility issues” – simply check the “Don’t show this message again” and then click the “Run the program without getting help” button
- When you arrive at the installation folder path setup dialog, **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acad2007 (not Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD 2007)**.
- Once AutoCAD has installed
- completely close setup
- Go back to the Converter app and make sure it’s completed the final stage of processing using the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab
- Now reboot your PC and run your AutoCAD as normal
- NOTE: When starting AutoCAD, if you see a warning dialog when you run saying “This program has known compatibility issues”, simply click “Don’t show this message again” and then click “Run the Program…”
Installing AutoCAD 2007 Sp1
To install the sp for your AutoCAD…
- Download and unzip the AutoCAD 2007 Sp1
- Copy the autocad2007sp1.exe to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
- Start the Converter, select the 3rd tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp folder and click Fix.
- Now you can run the autocad2007sp1.exe from Windows explorer and install normally.
- Next install sp2 just below…
Installing AutoCAD 2007 Sp2
To install the sp for your AutoCAD…
- Download and unzio the AutoCAD 2007 Sp2
- Copy the autocad2007sp2.exe to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
- Start the Converter, select the 3rd tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp folder and click Fix.
- Now you can run the autocad2007sp2.exe from Windows explorer and install normally.