Tag Archives: AutoCAD R13

Install AutoCAD R13 on Windows 11

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Follow these instructions to solve issues around installing/running your legacy AutoCAD R13 on Windows 11

Ransomware Protection Windows 11 and AutoCAD

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 R13

A quick word of advice: please follow the instructions below precisely as documented including using the same folder names and paths. This will significantly reduce the risk of having any problems…
  1. 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.
  2. 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…
  3. Double click the zip file to open it and install the TLC application as normal. By the way, TLC stands for The Longbow Converter
  4. Using Windows Explorer, copy your entire AutoCAD R13 CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\acadR13
  5. Start the Longbow Converter tool
    1. Select the 2nd tab named “Old AutoCAD Installer Reviver“
    2. Using the “…” button, pick the folder path c:\Autodesk\acadR13
    3. Click “Run Old Installer”
      1. Read and follow all the prompts
      2. Once the AutoCAD setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  6. In the AutoCAD setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal

    1. Carry on with the install, ignore any errors.
    2. Once setup completes…
      1. Do not reboot if asked to do so
      2. Make sure to fully close the setup program when the installation is complete.
  7. Once installed, go back to the Converter tool…
    1. select the 3rd tab “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver”
    2. using the “…” button pick the newly installed c:\R13 folder
    3. click “Fix Old Program“.
  8. Finally, reboot your PC
  9. Now, you can happily run your AutoCAD R13 on Windows 11

Troubleshooting

Copyright 2025 (c) Longbow Software

Installing AutoCAD R13 on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

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Installing your AutoCAD R13 on Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 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.

A quick word of advice: best to follow the instructions below precisely and to the letter, including folder names and paths, that way you will reduce the risk of having any problems…

How to install AutoCAD R13

  1. Obtain your copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Using Windows Explorer, copy your entire AutoCAD R13 CD to your hard drive, to a folder path c:\Autodesk\acadR13
  3. Start the Longbow Converter tool, select the 2nd tab, pick the c:\Autodesk\acadR13 folder, and click Run. Read and understand all the prompts before pressing OK. Now, I know it’s unheard of these days, but at this point expect to wait at least 45 minutes for your AutoCAD R13 setup.exe program to appear. Once the setup starts, stop and read the next step…
  4. In the setup program, navigate through each setup dialog as normal
  5. Now carry on with the install… Ignore any errors
  6. Once installed, go back to the Converter tool, select the 3rd tab, pick the newly installed c:\R13 folder and click Fix.
  7. Now you can happily run your AutoCAD R13
    1. Create a shortcut on your Desktop pointing to c:\R13\acad.exe (working folder c:\R13)

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 2021 (c) Longbow Software