Installing AutoCAD 2005 on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

Follow these instructions to solve issues around installing/running your old AutoCAD 2005 on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

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

How to install AutoCAD 2005 

  1. Obtain your purchased copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Start the Longbow Converter tool
    1. Insert your AutoCAD CD into your CDRom drive
    2. Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
    3. Using the “…” button, path the to your AutoCAD CD
    4. Click “Run Old Installer
      1. Read and follow all the prompts
      2. Once the AutoCAD setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  3. In the AutoCAD setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, with these exceptions…
    1. When you arrive at the installation folder path setup dialog…
      1. it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acad2005 (not Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD 2005)
    2. While installing…
      1. If you see an error in install “.NET Runtime Optimization Service has stopped working” – simply ignore by clicking the “Close Program” button
      2. When a message box appears warning that “64bit .NET Unavailable” – simply click OK to carry on and install AutoCAD as normal – this does not affect anything.
      3. Do not reboot if asked to do so
    3. Once installed
      1. Do not reboot if asked to do so
      2. Make sure to fully close the setup program when the installation is complete.
      3. Switch back to the Converter app and make sure it’s completed the final stage of processing using the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab – it should display “SUCCESS!”
  4. Finally, reboot your PC and run your AutoCAD as normal
    1. NOTE: When starting AutoCAD, if you see a warning dialog when you run saying “This program has known compatibility issues
      1. Click “Don’t show this message again
      2. then click “Run the Program…

Installing AutoCAD 2005 Sp1

To install the sp for your AutoCAD…
  1. Download AutoCAD 2005 Sp1
  2. Copy the service pack exe installer to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
  3. Start the Converter App
    1. select the 3rd tab named “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver
    2. Using the “. . .” button, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp folder
    3. click “Fix Old Program“.
  4. Now you can run the service pack exe installer from Windows explorer as normal
  5. NOTE: If your AutoCAD now fails to start, you may now need to again re-run the Converter process from step (6) above

Troubleshooting

– If you are unable to activate your product, or the activation crashes:

– 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

Copyright 2021 (c) Longbow Software

Install 32bit AutoCAD 2009 LT on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

These instructions solve issues around installing/running your AutoCAD LT 2009 on newer versions of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 64bit

Some common issues are error messages like these…

“This operating system is not supported by AutoCAD LT 2008”

You can automatically solve these problems using our Longbow Converter App; it fixes and manages the AutoCAD LT 2009 installation so that you can be up and running again. Simply follow the instructions below 🙂

NOTE: Autodesk no longer supply License Activation codes. Once you have installed your AutoCAD (following the instructions below) you will need to authorize/activate your AutoCAD yourself, find out how by clicking here

How to install AutoCAD LT 2009

  1. Purchased a copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Start the Converter App
  3. Insert your AutoCAD LT 2009 CD into your CDRom drive…
    1. Select the 1st tab named “AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter
    2. Using the “. . .” button, select your AutoCAD 2009 installation CD
    3. Next, click the “Convert button and follow instructions
  4. Once the conversion process is complete
    1. click Install/Run Setup to start setup
    2. Simply install as normal, remembering to…
      1. Fully close the AutoCAD setup application once complete
      2. Close the Converter App.
  5. Now run your AutoCAD as normal

Troubleshooting

– If you have a single self extracting exe downloaded from Autodesk

  1. Run the exe, it will ask to unzip to a folder inside of c:\Autodesk, make a note of the folder name for later use (we’ll refer to it from here as c:\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2009), now click OK.
  2. Wait until all of the files have extracted, when they do, the AutoCAD LT 2009 setup will automatically launch – simply close and move to step 3.2 above, making sure to select c:\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2009.

– If you are unable to activate your product, or the activation process crashes:

– 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

 
Copyright 2020 (c) Longbow Software
 

 

Installing 32bit AutoCAD LT 2010 on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

NOTE: This blog post specifically solves issues related to these error messages on installation…

  • “This operating system is not supported by AutoCAD LT® 2010”
  • “You cannot install this product on the current operating system”
  • “You are attempting to use a 32-bit installer on a 64-bit operating system”
  • “This is a 32-bit AutoCAD LT® 2010. It cannot be installed on 64-bit Windows”

Installing AutoCAD LT 2010 32bit on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 64bit can be very easily defined in these short steps…

NOTE: These steps do not bypass normal Autodesk licensing/authorization, you should expect to use your own serial numbers in the normal way.

  1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. If you have CDs (if not check (3) below):
    1. Using Windows Explorer, copy Disk 1 of your AutoCAD LT 2010 CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2010
    2. If you have more CD’s, copy them all directly over the top of Disk 1, overwrite all files in your previously copied c:\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2010 folder
  3. If you have a single self extracting exe downloaded from Autodesk
    1. Run the exe, it will ask to unzip to a folder inside of c:\Autodesk, make a note of the folder for later use (we’ll refer to it from here as c:\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2010), now click OK. Wait until all of the files have extracted, when they do, the AutoCAD LT 2010 setup will automatically launch – simply close it and move to the next step.
  4. Now, start the Longbow Converter tool, select the 1st tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\AutoCADLT2010 folder, and click the Convert button.
  5. Once the conversion process is complete, click Install/Run Setup to start setup. Simply install as normal.
  6. Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 users: Once the installation process is complete, go back to the Converter, select the 3rd tab, pick the newly installed C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD 2010 folder, then click Fix
  7. Now you can happily run your AutoCAD LT 2010 32bit on Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Troubleshooting:

  1. If your installed AutoCAD is hanging on startup then read this post first AutoCAD Freezes on startup (AutoCAD visible but the menus don’t appear)
  2. if your AutoCAD hangs on startup (stuck at the “Checking License…” message, try installing the 32bit version of AutoCAD 2010 on 64bit Windows – we’ve actually found the 32bit AutoCAD 2010 running on 64bit Windows is much more stable and actually faster than the 64bit version of AutoCAD 2010.
  3. If your AutoCAD crashes while interacting with the Ribbon click here
  4. If you are unable to activate your product, or the activation process crashes:
    1. Try uninstalling the July 2014 Microsoft security update
    2. Try downgrading your Internet Explorer (IE) from version 11 to version 10 by following the instructions detailed here
  5. 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
  6. If your Windows hangs on startup after installing please refer to this help blog
Copyright 2015 (c) Longbow Software

Install Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Installing AutoCAD Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 (AutoCAD 2000i) on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 32bit or 64bit can be very easily defined in these short steps…

NOTE: These steps do not bypass normal Autodesk licensing/authorization, you should expect to use your own serial numbers in the normal way.

I recommend that you follow these steps precisely so to eliminate the risk of something going wrong with the install…
  1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Using Windows Explorer, copy your entire Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\CDs\adt2000i 
  3. Start the Longbow Converter tool
    1. Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
    2. Pick the newly copied c:\Autodesk\CDs\adt2000i  folder
    3. Now click the “Run Old Installer” button.
    4. Read and understand all the prompts before clicking OK.
      1. Once the setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  4. In the setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, except when you get to the installation folder, **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\adt2000i (not Program Files (x86)\Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 as prompted by default)**
    1. Next, install as normal
    2. Do not reboot is prompted to do so
  5. Once installed, go back to the Converter tool
    1. Select the 3rd tab named “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver”
    2. Pick the newly installed c:\adt2000i folder
    3. Click the “Fix Old Program” button.
  6. Now, you can happily run your Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 on Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Troubleshooting:
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
Copyright 2016 (c) Longbow Software

Installing AutoCAD 2005 LT on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10

Installing AutoCAD 2005 LT on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 32bit or 64bit can be very easily defined in these short steps…

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

  1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here (we recommend the latest version for LT 2005)
  2. Copy your AutoCAD 2005 LT CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\acadlt2005 
  3. Start the Longbow Converter tool
    1. select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
    2. pick the c:\Autodesk\acadlt2005 folder
    3. click Run.
      1. Read and understand all the prompts before pressing OK.
      2. Once the setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  4. In your LT 2005 setup program…
    1. If you see a dialog titled “64-bit .NET Unavailable” – simply ignore it and click OK
    2. Now, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, except when you get to the installation folder, **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acadlt2005 (not Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD LT 2005**
    3. If you see an error in install “.NET Runtime Optimization Service has stopped working” – simply ignore by clicking the “Close Program” button
  5. Once installed
    1. go back to the Converter tool
    2. select the 3rd tab named “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver”
    3. pick the newly installed c:\acadlt2005 folder
    4. click Fix.
  6. Now you can run your AutoCAD LT 2005, but it’s a good idea to install the latest service packs.
    1. NOTE: 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 2005 LT Sp1
  1. Download the AutoCAD 2005 LT Sp1 (locked) from our good friends at CADStudio (as Autodesk no longer post older sp’s)
  2. Copy the ACLT2005sp1SWL.exe to folder path c:\Autodesk\sp
  3. Start the Converter, select the 3rd tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\sp folder and click Fix.
  4. Now run the ACLT2005sp1SWL.exe from Windows explorer
  5. NOTE: If your AutoCAD fails to start, you may now need to again re-run the Converter process from step (6) above
Troubleshooting:

– If you are unable to activate your product, or the activation crashes:

– 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

Copyright 2016 (c) Longbow Software

Installing AutoCAD LT 2002 on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

If you are a seasoned AutoCAD LT 2002 user, no doubt you will at some point have run into the famous GEDIT 3 error and been very frustrated with it. That error occurs because of certain video card drivers and/or certain types of anti-virus software setups.

On Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8, the GEDIT 3 error is even more prominent because of all the new security features that are inside of Windows 7 and 8. The good news is that it’s totally possible to eradicate the GEDIT 3 error by follow the instructions below:
 

How to install AutoCAD LT 2002 

  1. Obtain your purchased copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Start the Longbow Converter tool
    1. Insert your AutoCAD CD into your CDRom drive
    2. Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver
    3. Using the “…” button, path the to your AutoCAD CD
    4. Click “Run Old Installer
      1. Read and follow all the prompts
      2. Once the AutoCAD setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  3. In the setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, except when you get to the installation folder – **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acadlt2002 (not Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD LT 2002 as usually prompted by default)**
    1. IMPORTANT NOTE: For AutoCAD 2002 you may find that entering the path C:\acadlt2002 may not take (a bug in the AutoCAD 2002 installer). In that case, you will need to select the installation folder C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoCAD LT 2002 in step (5) below
    2. Do not reboot if prompted to do so

      You must change the default AutoCAD LT 2002 Install path
  4. Once installed
    1. Once installed
      1. Do not reboot if asked to do so
      2. Make sure to fully close the setup program when the installation is complete.
      3. Back in the Converter app and make sure it’s completed the final stage of processing using the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab.
  5. Now run your AutoCAD LT 2002 and completely register as normal. Once registered, exit AutoCAD and continue to the next step.
  6. Next, obtain the AutoCAD LT 2002 sp1 from here unzip and save to c:\Autodesk\spdo not install yet
  7. Next, obtain the AutoCAD LT 2002 sp2 from here (or AutoCAD LT 2002 sp2 locked version from here) and save to c:\Autodesk\sp do not install yet
  8. Go back into the Converter
    1. select the 3rd tab named “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver”
    2. Using the “. . .” button, select the c:\Autodesk\sp folder
    3. click “Fix Old Program“.
  9. Now Install the LT 2002 sp1 by running c:\Autodesk\sp\acad2002LTsp1.exe
    1. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you get a 114 error, contact Longbow Software Support to get them to fix it for you.
  10. Next, install the LT 2002 sp2 by running either the unlocked c:\Autodesk\sp\acltk044-k047unl.exe or the locked c:\Autodesk\sp\acltk044-k047swl.exe
    1. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you get a 114 error, contact Longbow Software Support to get them to fix it for you.
  11. Finally, reboot your PC and run AutoCAD as normal.

Troubleshooting

  • If you cannot install your AutoCAD LT 2002 Service Packs because of an error “114: Autocad LT 2002 update was not applied” – rather than try and solve this issue, the easiest solution is:
    1. To go back to your old Windows XP machine and make sure that all of the sp’s are installed on your old Windows XP machine’s installation of AutoCAD LT 2002
    2. Next, simply copy all of the AutoCAD LT 2002 program files and folders from your old Windows XP machine to a USB drive – copy the “contents” of C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2002
    3. Now transfer the USB to your new machine and copy the files that were on your old Windows XP machine’s C:\Program Files\AutoCAD LT 2002 folder into your newly installed c:\acadlt2002 folder – you should see a question if you should overwrite all files, say YES
  • 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

 

Copyright 2019 (c) Longbow Software

Installing AutoCAD R14 from Windows Safe Mode

If you are reading this post, it’s because your AutoCAD R14 setup program is not starting after following the R14 installation steps that we documented here and you have reached the Troubleshooting section.

Why the setup is not starting is a big question, most likely it’s because a Windows Update or some other installer update is pending (in which case a reboot should solve) or it could be a security ‘feature’ a 3rd party anti-virus application or similar is imposing on your system which is in turn blocking your R14 setup. The thing is, it’s impossible for us to realistically diagnose the exact problem for you, so we came up with a fail safe solution – install using Windows Safe Mode, here’s how…

NOTE: These steps do not bypass normal Autodesk licensing/authorization, you should expect to use your own serial numbers in the normal way.

  1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here, install it.
  2. Using Windows Explorer, copy your entire AutoCAD R14 CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\acadR14
  3. Boot your computer into Safe Mode using these instructions
  4. Once in Windows Safe Mode, start the Longbow Converter tool, select the 2nd tab “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver“, pick the c:\Autodesk\acadR14 folder, and click Run. Read and understand all the prompts before pressing OK.
    1. Once the setup starts, stop and read the next step
  5. In the setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal, except when you get to the installation folder, **it’s vitally important to make sure you install to c:\acadR14 (not .\AutoCAD R14 as usually prompted)**
  6. Now carry on with the install (do not reboot once the install is complete). Ignore any errors related to not being able to create the shortcut, you will have to create a shortcut on your computer Desktop to your c:\acadR14\acad.exe by hand.
    1. Do not reboot if prompted to do so
  7. Once installed, go back to the Converter tool, select the 3rd tab, pick the newly installed c:\acadR14 folder and click Fix.
  8. Now reboot your computer back into normal Windows mode
  9. Open Windows Explorer, navigate to c:\acadR14 and run acad.exe – you can now happily run your AutoCAD R14 on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 32bit or 64bit
Copyright 2015 (c) Longbow Software

 

AutoCAD 32bit/64bit side-by-side installation compatibility chart

This blog has been written to help advise those who require 32bit versions of AutoCAD to reside on the same computer system as 64bit versions of AutoCAD.

Before we start, when installing 32bit AutoCAD on 64bit Windows, you should take care not to mix the same version/series of AutoCAD 32bit with the same version/series of the corresponding 64bit version of AutoCAD, on the same computer. The reason is that they were not designed to run in a side-by-side configuration and therefore may conflict. The same rule can generally be made for all Autodesk products.

NOTES:

  • When installing 32bit AutoCAD, we advise that you uninstall all previous versions of 64bit AutoCAD before installing your 32bit version of AutoCAD.
  • If you are installing multiple versions of AutoCAD, you should always install in chronological order, in other words, oldest to newest.
    • e.g AutoCAD 2004, Architecture 2004, Map 2005, AutoCAD 2007, Civil3d 2015
    • Failure to follow this simple rule can render you with missing entry point errors, un-explained crashing, un-installable Autodesk software and more.
  • For best results, we recommend that you install only 32bit versions of AutoCAD on your computer system, however, mixing is possible with care – refer to the chart below if you must have the 64bit version installed on the same computer.

This chart shows which 32bit AutoCAD versions can be installed on the same system as 64bit AutoCAD versions…

  • Green means Should be OK
  • Red/Dark Red means Problems will occur, you should not do this

AutoCAD 32bit 64bit side by side configurations

Shows which versions of 32bit AutoCAD can be installed side by side to 64bit versions of AutoCAD

Copyright 2015 (c) Longbow Software