After renaming, the file icon might change from a generic white page to the familiar AutoCAD red “A” logo. If it remains blank, that’s fine—just double-click it and choose AutoCAD from the “Open with” menu.
This guide applies to Autodesk AutoCAD 2010 through 2025 and beyond. While third-party CAD software (like DraftSight or BricsCAD) also uses .bak files, the rename method works universally. Always maintain multiple backups of mission-critical engineering data.
The recovered file wasn't perfect – a few minor design elements were missing – but it was a vast improvement over the .bak file. Alex breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that she had been able to salvage her work. She made a mental note to manually save her files more frequently and to always keep a backup of her critical projects. .bak to .dwg
As the conversion progressed, Alex anxiously monitored the software's progress. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the software beeped to signal that the conversion was complete. Alex opened the newly created .dwg file, and her heart leapt with joy as she saw that it contained almost all of her original work.
Just as she was about to give up, Alex remembered a trick she had learned from a colleague a few months ago. He had shown her how to convert a .bak file back to a .dwg file using a specialized software tool. The tool, called "DWG Recovery," was designed to extract data from corrupted or backup files and convert them into usable .dwg files. After renaming, the file icon might change from
You rename “Project.bak” to “Project.dwg,” but the file still shows as “Project.dwg.bak” or the icon doesn’t change. Solution: Re-enable file extensions (see step 2 above). You likely renamed the first part of the name but left .bak hidden. Turn extensions on and try again.
Instead of just opening the new .dwg , use AutoCAD’s repair tool. While third-party CAD software (like DraftSight or BricsCAD)
When you open a .dwg , AutoCAD creates lock files ( .dwl and .dwl2 ). If your file is corrupt and won’t open, . They can sometimes prevent recovery.
Converting a file is the standard way to recover a previous version of an AutoCAD drawing. Because a .bak file is simply a renamed copy of the .dwg file as it existed
And if you’ve just realized you’ve been deleting your .bak files for years? Go into OPTIONS right now and make sure “Create backup copy with each save” is turned on. Your future self will thank you.