Restoring .DWG Files After a Virus Has Infected Your PC

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .DWG file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

Restoring .DWG Files After a Virus Has Infected Your PC
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .DWG file?

A DWG file is a database of 2D or 3D drawings created with AutoCAD, a professional CAD program. It contains vector image data and metadata that describes the contents of the file. DWG files are related to .DXF files, which are ASCII versions of DWG files.

What Are Common Causes of ".DWG" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".DWG" files to be lost or fail:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".DWG" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. Software or hardware malfunction: Issues with the CAD software or hardware, such as crashes, power failures, or system errors, can lead to ".DWG" file corruption or loss.
  3. Virus or malware attack: Malicious programs can infect ".DWG" files and cause them to become inaccessible or corrupted.
  4. File system errors: Errors in the computer's file system, such as disk errors or bad sectors, can lead to ".DWG" file loss or corruption.
  5. Improper file handling: Improperly closing or saving ".DWG" files, force quitting the CAD software, or interrupting the file transfer process can result in file corruption or loss.
  6. Incompatibility issues: Opening ".DWG" files in incompatible CAD software versions or using unsupported file formats can cause file failure or loss.
  7. Human error: Accidental overwriting, saving changes to the wrong file, or improper file management practices can lead to ".DWG" file loss.
  8. Physical damage: Physical damage to storage media, such as hard drives or external storage devices, can result in ".DWG" file loss or corruption.

It is essential to regularly back up ".DWG" files and implement proper file management practices to minimize the risk of file loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".DWG" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".DWG" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".DWG" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".DWG" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".DWG" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".DWG" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".DWG" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo autoCAD Drawing Database File image file file?

Programs that open ".DWG" files

Windows
Autodesk AutoCAD 2018 Autodesk AutoCAD 2018
Autodesk Design Review Autodesk Design Review
Autodesk DWG TrueView Autodesk DWG TrueView
AutoDWG DWGSee AutoDWG DWGSee
CADSoftTools ABViewer CADSoftTools ABViewer
IMSI TurboCAD Pro IMSI TurboCAD Pro
IMSI DoubleCAD IMSI DoubleCAD
ACD Systems Canvas X 2019 ACD Systems Canvas X 2019
CorelCAD 2019 CorelCAD 2019
GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer Dassault Systemes SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer
AnyDWG Any DWG to PDF Converter AnyDWG Any DWG to PDF Converter
Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 Adobe Illustrator CC 2019
Serif DrawPlus Serif DrawPlus
Bricsys Bricscad Bricsys Bricscad
Dassault Systemes DraftSight Dassault Systemes DraftSight
Wout Ware DWG DXF Sharp Viewer Wout Ware DWG DXF Sharp Viewer
Scan2CAD Scan2CAD
Mac
Autodesk AutoCAD 2019 Autodesk AutoCAD 2019
IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe
CorelCAD 2019 CorelCAD 2019
progeCAD iCADMac progeCAD iCADMac
GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD
Microspot DWG Viewer Microspot DWG Viewer
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer Dassault Systemes SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer
Adobe Illustrator CC 2019 Adobe Illustrator CC 2019
Dassault Systemes DraftSight Dassault Systemes DraftSight
Autodesk Fusion 360 Autodesk Fusion 360
Scan2CAD Scan2CAD
Linux
Bricsys Bricscad Bricsys Bricscad
Dassault Systemes DraftSight Dassault Systemes DraftSight
Web
Autodesk Fusion 360 Autodesk Fusion 360
AutoDesk A360 Viewer AutoDesk A360 Viewer
Watermark Images DWG Conversion Watermark Images DWG Conversion
iOS
Autodesk Fusion 360 Autodesk Fusion 360
AutoDesk AutoCAD 360 AutoDesk AutoCAD 360
Android
AutoDWG DWGSee AutoDWG DWGSee
Autodesk Fusion 360 Autodesk Fusion 360
AutoDesk AutoCAD 360 AutoDesk AutoCAD 360

Additional Information

  • File type: AutoCAD Drawing Database File

  • File extension: .DWG

  • Developer: Autodesk

  • Category: CAD Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/x-autocad

  • HEX: 41 43 31 30

  • ASCII: AC10

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:41 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DWG files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are the common causes of .DWG file corruption, and how can I repair them?

    There are several common causes of .DWG file corruption, including:

    1. Software or system crashes: Sudden software or system crashes while working with AutoCAD or other CAD software can lead to file corruption.
    2. Power failures: Abrupt power outages or fluctuations can interrupt the saving process and result in file corruption.
    3. Incompatible software: Using incompatible or outdated software versions to open or edit .DWG files can cause corruption.
    4. Virus or malware infections: Malicious software can damage or corrupt .DWG files.
    5. File transfer issues: Problems during file transfers, such as interrupted downloads or incomplete uploads, can corrupt .DWG files.

    To repair .DWG file corruption, you can try the following methods:

    1. Use AutoCAD's built-in repair tool: AutoCAD provides a built-in file recovery tool called "RECOVER" or "RECOVERALL." Use these commands to attempt file repair.
    2. Open the file in different software: Try opening the corrupt .DWG file in a different CAD software. Sometimes, other software may be able to repair or recover the file.
    3. Use third-party recovery tools: Several third-party software tools are available that specialize in repairing corrupt .DWG files. These tools can often recover data from severely corrupted files.
    4. Restore from backup: If you have a backup of the .DWG file, restore it to recover the uncorrupted version.
    5. Contact technical support: If none of the above methods work, consider reaching out to the software's technical support team for assistance. They may have additional solutions or suggestions specific to your software version.

    Remember to always make regular backups of your .DWG files to minimize the risk of data loss due to corruption.

  • What are the available tools or software options for repairing .DWG files?

    There are several tools and software options available for repairing .DWG files. Some of the popular ones include:

    1. AutoCAD: AutoCAD itself provides tools like RECOVER and RECOVERALL to repair damaged .DWG files. These tools attempt to fix errors and recover as much data as possible.
    2. DWG Repair Toolbox: It is a third-party software specifically designed to repair damaged .DWG files. It can fix various issues like file corruption, invalid data, and more.
    3. Stellar Repair for DWG: Another third-party software that can repair corrupt .DWG files. It can recover various types of objects, layers, and other components from damaged files.
    4. DWG TrueView: It is a free software from Autodesk that allows viewing and printing .DWG files. It can also repair minor file corruption issues.
    5. DraftSight: A free 2D CAD software that can also repair damaged .DWG files. It has a built-in recovery feature to fix corrupted files.
    6. ZWCAD: ZWCAD is a popular CAD software that can repair damaged .DWG files. It has a file recovery feature that can fix minor corruption issues.

    It is recommended to try the built-in repair tools provided by AutoCAD first, and if they fail to fix the issue, you can consider using third-party software for more advanced repairs.

  • Are there any specific techniques or best practices to follow when attempting to repair a corrupted .DWG file?

    Yes, there are several techniques and best practices to follow when attempting to repair a corrupted .DWG file. Here are some suggestions:

    1. Use AutoCAD's built-in recovery feature: AutoCAD has a built-in feature called "RECOVER" that can help repair corrupted .DWG files. To use it, open AutoCAD, go to the "File" menu, select "Drawing Utilities," and then choose "Recover." Select the corrupted .DWG file and follow the prompts to attempt the repair.
    2. Create a backup copy: Before attempting any repairs, always create a backup copy of the corrupted .DWG file. This ensures that even if the repair process fails, you still have the original file intact.
    3. Use third-party software: There are several third-party software tools available specifically designed to repair corrupted .DWG files. Some popular options include AutoCAD DWG Recovery, DataNumen DWG Recovery, and Stellar Repair for DWG. These tools often have advanced algorithms to recover and repair corrupted files.
    4. Try opening the file in different versions of AutoCAD: Sometimes, a corrupted .DWG file can be successfully opened in a different version of AutoCAD. Try opening the file in older or newer versions of AutoCAD to see if it can be repaired automatically during the opening process.
    5. Check for file dependencies: If the corrupted .DWG file has external references (XREFs) or linked files, make sure all the dependencies are available and accessible. Sometimes, a missing or inaccessible dependency can cause file corruption. Ensure that all referenced files are present and in the correct location.
    6. Use a clean system: If you suspect that the corruption is caused by issues with your computer system or software conflicts, try opening the .DWG file on a clean system. This can help identify if the corruption is specific to your system or if it is a problem with the file itself.
    7. Contact Autodesk support: If all else fails, consider reaching out to Autodesk support for assistance. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or specialized tools to help recover and repair corrupted .DWG files.

    Remember, it's always a good practice to regularly backup your .DWG files to prevent data loss in case of corruption or other issues.
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