Resetting and Reconfiguring AutoCAD/HydraCAD

Occasionally, after a new install, some users report various troubles with HydraCAD/AutoCAD. These can be missing toolbars, missing pull down menus, ? marks on buttons, unknown commands or others. Many of these are caused by the Support File Search Path being all messed up. Either there are additional paths in there that conflict with ours, or some paths are missing. One cause of this is allowing AutoCAD to Migrate Settings when running a new AutoCAD version for the first time. We always recommend NOT allowing AutoCAD to migrate settings. Allowing it to do so when running AutoCAD 2020 for the first time, for example, migrates the setting for V55 as well as adds in the setting for V56. This is bad.

So, we often recommend the following steps. They are easy and usually solve the problems:

 

Step 1 - Reset AutoCAD to its default state (ie, no HydraCAD or other items in the support paths

Windows 7	Windows 10
A. Close AutoCAD. Then, pick the Windows Start button, then pick All Programs, Autodesk, AutoCAD 2019 (or your version) and Reset Settings to Default	A. Close AutoCAD. Then, pick the Windows icon and begin typing in Reset Settings to Default in the Windows Search Bar. Once you see the Reset Settings to Default program appear in the list, select it.

    B. These will launch the following dialog box. You may choose either option, but the Reset custom settings option is the most used

    C. This dialog should display:

 

    D. When you pick OK, a configuration tool will launch. When it is completed, AutoCAD will open. You will see a dialog like this. Pick Do Not Load. You will need to repeat that pick on four or five more dialogs

    E. Close AutoCAD

    F. When you go back into AutoCAD for the first time after running this tool, you will see the AutoCAD Migrate Setting. Pick Clear All and then the check mark (√)

Step 2 - Reconfigure HydraCAD

Windows 7	Windows 10
B. Pick the Windows Start button, then pick All Programs, Hydratec Version 50 Software, Configure AutoCAD for HydraCAD V56 (or your version). Let this configuration tool run through.	B. Pick the Windows icon and begin typing in Configure AutoCAD for HydraCAD in the Windows Search Bar. Once you see the Configure AutoCAD for HydraCAD program appear in the list, select it. Let this configuration tool run through.