Follow these instructions to solve issues around installing/running your legacy AutoCAD LDT 2004 on Windows 11. It requires the purchase of our Longbow Converter App which provides the framework to allow your old AutoCAD to install and run natively on Windows 11.
NOTE: We currently only support US unlocked versions of 2004 on 64bit OS. European or locked US support 2004 is limited only to 32bit Windows 11.
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 Autodesk LDT 2004
- 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
- Start the Longbow Converter tool
- Insert your AutoCAD CD into your CDRom drive
- Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver“
- Using the “…” button, path the to your AutoCAD CD
- Click “Run Old Installer”
- Read and follow all the prompts
- Once the AutoCAD setup starts, stop and read the next step…
- In the AutoCAD setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, with these exceptions…
- Some problem NOTES to read before stepping through the setup:
- if you cannot move past the first screen in the setup, see Trouble Shooting below
- When you click the Install link from your AutoCAD 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”.
- Now onto the setup…
- When you arrive at the installation folder path setup dialog…
- **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\ldt2004 (not Program Files (x86)\Autodesk Land Desktop 2004)**.
- While installing…
- If you see an error in install “.NET Runtime Optimization Service has stopped working” – simply ignore by clicking the “Close Program” button
- Do not reboot if asked to do so
- Once installed
- Do not reboot if asked to do so
- Make sure to fully close the setup program when the installation is complete.
- Back in the Converter app and make sure it’s completed the final stage of processing using the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab
- Some problem NOTES to read before stepping through the setup:
- Finally, 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”
- Click “Don’t show this message again”
- then click “Run the Program…”
- NOTE: When starting AutoCAD, if you see a warning dialog when you run saying “This program has known compatibility issues”
Installing Autodesk LDT 2004 Sp1
- Download LDT 2004 sp2 from here
- Copy the file into c:\Autodesk\sp
- Start the Converter
- Select the 3rd tab named “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver“
- Pick the c:\Autodesk\sp folder
- Now click the Fix Old Program button.
- Install as normal
Troubleshooting
– If you are unable to activate your product, or the activation process crashes immediately on startup:
- Try uninstalling the July 2014 Microsoft security update
- Try downgrading your Internet Explorer (IE) from version 11 to version 10 by following the instructions detailed here
– If you have crashing problems using the File->Open or File->Save dialogs inside of AutoCAD please read this blog entry on the File->Open or File->Save Crash in AutoCAD
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