SolidWorks backup and recovery options

There are three main options within the Tools\Options\System Option\Backup/Recover dialog box each designed to help you back up your work or minimize potential loss of data.

The three areas are (as shown in Figure 1):
• Auto-recover
• Backup
• Save notification.

Figure 1

Auto-Recover will save information about the active documents in the current session if the system terminates unexpectedly. If this does happen, a Document Recovery tab appears in the Task Pane the next time you launch SolidWorks software.

A list of file available to recover is shown (see Figure 2). You can open individual recovered files and your saved files, or click Open All .

The directory and number of changes or minutes to save the information is configurable in the Backup/Recover dialog box show in Figure 1. The auto-recover directory is automatically cleared by SolidWorks periodically. This is only good for recovering information from the last session on an abnormal exit.

Then select a model edge and pick either Align Drawing View -> Horizontal Edge or -> Vertical Edge to rotate the view.

Figure 2

The backup option offers you the ability to create copies of the current document when changes are made.

The backup directory, number of backup per document, location, and number of days to maintain backup copies are set in the Backup/Recover dialog box show in Figure 1. If you use this option, make sure the remove backup copies after “x” days is set. Otherwise, you will keep using disk space until the disk is full.

The Save Notification option will remind you to save documents. When set, a transparent message box appears if the current document has not been saved within the specified interval (minutes or number of changes). The message box contains commands to save the current document or all documents; it fades after a few seconds.

The interval for this message can be set to minute or changes in the Backup/Recover dialog box show in Figure 1.

Figure 3

The Auto_recover option is more effective as a tool to prevent loss of data. Setting the interval to 1-2 changes does not effect performance and is not reliant on saving the files to create a backup. Once you have save the files, you already have saved your changes.
These options are designed to help minimize loss of data. Please take the time to review and understand the options that would best accommodate you and your organization and ensure they are set for all users.