Installing 32bit AutoCAD 2010 on Windows 11

These instructions solve issues around installing/running your old AutoCAD 2010 on 64bit Windows 11. Some common issues are error messages like these

  • “This operating system is not supported by AutoCAD® 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® 2010. It cannot be installed on 64-bit Windows”

You can automatically solve these problems using our Longbow Converter App, it fixes and manages the AutoCAD 2010 installation so that you can be up and running again… Simply follow the instructions below:

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 2010

  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. Start the Converter App and note the user interface
  5. Select the 1st tab named “AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter
    1. Using the “. . .” button, selection your AutoCAD installation CD
    2. Next, click the “Convert button and follow instructions
  6. Once the conversion process is complete
    1. click Install/Run Setup to start setup
      1. 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.
    2. Simply install as normal, remembering to…
      1. Close the setup program when the installation is complete.
      2. Back in the Converter app and make sure it has completed the final stage of processing using the “Old AutoCAD Program Reviver” tab – it should be green stating “SUCCESS”
  7. Now run your AutoCAD as normal

Installing AutoCAD 2010 Service Packs

We recommend that you download and install the latest Service Packs from Autodesk which can be found here

Troubleshooting

  1. If your AutoCAD crashes while interacting with the Ribbon click here
  2. 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
  3. 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 2023 (c) Longbow Software

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

These instructions solve issues around installing/running your old AutoCAD 2010 on newer versions of 64bit Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. Some common issues are error messages like these…

“This operating system is not supported by AutoCAD 2010”

Checking License…”

You can automatically solve these problems using our Longbow Converter App, it fixes and manages the AutoCAD 2010 installation so that you can be up and running again… Follow these instructions:

How to install AutoCAD 2010

  1. Obtain your purchased copy of the Longbow Converter here
  2. Start the Converter App and note the user interface
  3. Select the 1st tab named “AutoCAD 32bit Installer Converter
    1. Using the “. . .” button, selection your AutoCAD installation CD
    2. 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. Close the setup program when the installation is complete.
      2. Now 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 as normal

Installing AutoCAD 2010 Service Packs

AutoCAD 2010 has 2 service packs, instead of calling them sp1 and sp2 they decided to call them Update1 and Update2. You only need to install Update2 because it already includes Update1.

  1. Download the AutoCAD 2010 Update 2 (sp2)
  2. Unzip and simply run the autocad2010update2.exe to install the update

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 2019 (c) Longbow Software