Update Desktop Connector

Overview

This topic explains how to update Desktop Connector to the latest version.

To get the newest version of Desktop Connector, go to the Latest Release and Notes page.

Upgrade recommendations

How you upgrade depends on whether you're upgrading to a minor release or a major release. Use the table below to determine the right approach.

Scenario Example Recommended Method
Minor release 16.14 → 16.16, or 17.0 → 17.2 Upgrade in place
Major release 16.x → 17.x Run reset utility, uninstall, then reinstall

Minor release upgrades (e.g., 16.14 to 16.16 or 17.0 to 17.2)

For minor release upgrades, upgrade in place using one of the following methods:

Do not uninstall first. Your project selections and settings are preserved during an in-place upgrade.

Major release upgrades (e.g., 16.x to 17.x)

For major release upgrades, we recommend running the reset utility, uninstalling, and then reinstalling. This provides the most predictable and stable outcome by ensuring all Desktop Connector components and configuration are properly cleared before installing the new release.

See Steps for a major release upgrade below for detailed instructions.

Note:

While upgrading in place across major releases may work in some cases, following the recommended reset, uninstall, and reinstall process helps avoid potential issues from leftover configuration or components.

What happens during the 16.x to 17.x upgrade

When you upgrade from version 16.x to 17.1 or later, Desktop Connector automatically performs a one-time project preparation process. During this process:

This process may result in local cache files being removed. Any files that don't match the cloud are preserved in a backup folder so you can review them after the upgrade completes.

For more details, see Preparing Projects for Version 17.

Steps for a major release upgrade

Use these steps when upgrading to a new major release of Desktop Connector (for example, 16.x to 17.x):

  1. Check for pending uploads: Make sure you have no files waiting to upload to the cloud. If you have any unsynced changes, you can identify them by running the Troubleshooter. See Troubleshooting Guide for more information.
  2. Run the reset utility:
  3. Uninstall your current Desktop Connector version:
    • Go to Start > find Desktop Connector in the program list.
    • Right-click and select Uninstall.
    • Desktop Connector uninstall option in Windows Start menu
    • Note: Uninstalling does not remove files in your local workspace. You must delete these manually.
  4. Ensure your local workspace has been deleted:
    • ACCDocs folder for Autodesk Docs
    • ADrive for Autodesk Drive
    • Fusion for Fusion
  5. Install the latest version of Desktop Connector:

Your new local workspace location will be %userprofile%\DC\ACCDocs (e.g., C:\Users\%username%\DC\AccDocs).

Update using manage.autodesk.com

You can also manage and view Desktop Connector updates through manage.autodesk.com. This web-based interface allows you to:

To access Product Updates:

  1. Go to manage.autodesk.com
  2. Navigate to Product Updates
  3. View and manage your Desktop Connector updates

Availability:

Note:

This feature provides a centralized way to manage updates across multiple installations, making it particularly useful for IT administrators managing Desktop Connector deployments.

Update using Autodesk Access

Starting with Desktop Connector 17.1, you can also update Desktop Connector through Autodesk Access.

Requirements:

To update through Autodesk Access:

  1. Open Autodesk Access on your computer
  2. Navigate to the updates section
  3. Select Desktop Connector from the available updates
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the update
Note:

Unlike some other Autodesk products, Desktop Connector updates through Autodesk Access require administrative privileges because Desktop Connector uses full product releases rather than patch updates. If you don't have admin access, contact your IT administrator for assistance. For more information, view the Autodesk Access help page on controlling updates in Access..

Availability:

How to Check Your Installed Version

Update Notifications

Downgrade or Reinstall Desktop Connector

If you need to downgrade to a previous version or reinstall the current version:

  1. Make sure you have no pending files to upload. If you have any unsynced changes, you can identify them by running the Troubleshooter. See Troubleshooting Guide for more information.
  2. Run the reset utility (recommended):
  3. Uninstall Desktop Connector:
    • Go to Start > find Desktop Connector > right-click > Uninstall.
  4. Navigate to your user profile folder. You can do this by typing %userprofile% in the address bar of File Explorer.
  5. Confirm deletion your local workspaces:
    • ACCDocs for Autodesk Docs (or DC\ACCDocs for v16+)
    • ADrive for Autodesk Drive
    • Fusion for Fusion
  6. Install a previous version of Desktop Connector.
    • Update Completed
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