CAD tip # 12592:

Question CAD
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How to automatically purge old backup files .BAK?

How can I save disk space? I would like to regularly erase (delete) backups of AutoCAD DWG drawing files, i.e. old .BAK files.

You can use a handy batch command "forfiles" (available in Windows since the version Vista). With proper parameters (see its help: forfiles /?), you can then run this command in Windows login scripts or regularly, using the Job scheduler.

Examples:

Delete .BAK files older than a half year from the current folder:

forfiles /M *.bak /D -183 /C "cmd /c del @file"

Delete .BAK files older than a month from the Drawings folder and all its subfolders on disk D:

forfiles /P "D:\Drawings" /S /M *.bak /D -30 /C "cmd /c del @file"

Purge all drawing backups from the disk C:, created with the automatic tool SureSave, which are older than a quarter-year:

forfiles /P "C:\" /S /M "SURESAVE_*.dwg" /D -92 /C "cmd /c del @file"

ACADLTADTPlantACADMCivilMap

Win10,Win8,Win7,Vista CAD

2.5.2020 6962× FAQ

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applies to: AutoCAD · AutoCAD LT · AutoCAD Architecture · AutoCAD Plant 3D · AutoCAD Mechanical · Civil 3D · AutoCAD Map 3D ·

See also:
Tip 8778:	How not lose edited DWG drawing even when closed without saving.
Tip 7901:	How to redirect AutoCAD BAK files to another folder?
Tip 4345:	What is the difference between .BAK, .SV$ and .AC$ backup files?
Tip 3643:	How to convert a .BAK file to a .DWG?

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