Desktop Connector 16.x FAQ
Desktop Connector version 16.x introduced many exciting new capabilities that are detailed in this help documentation. There are some key differences when compared to 15.x versions that should be considered before choosing to install the Latest Version of Desktop Connector.
- Why should I consider moving to Desktop Connector 16.x?
- Are there changes with installing Desktop Connector 16.x?
- Are there any File Explorer behavior changes between 15.x and 16.x?
- Are there changes to the way I access my Autodesk Docs projects?
- Are there changes to Autodesk Docs connector permissions?
- Can my company use versions 15.x and 16.x on the same project?
- Can I collaborate in a mixed Desktop Connector version environment?
- What if I am on version 16.4 and the contractor and others are on version 16.2. Is that a problem or unsupported?
- Can I access files when Desktop Connector 16.x is not running?
- What can cause the Autodesk Docs Connector to not sync files locally?
- Are there any changes when uploading data to Autodesk Docs?
- Does Desktop Connector 16.x support long paths?
- Are there features missing in Desktop Connector 16.x?
- What should I expect when using Navisworks with Desktop Connector 16.x?
- Are Inventor workflows supported with Desktop Connector 16.x?
- Using Desktop Connector v16.4+ with Vault
Why should I consider moving to Desktop Connector 16.x?
These changes apply to the Autodesk Docs Connector. The Autodesk Docs connector has been redesigned making it faster, providing better feedback, and adding support of familiar file explorer workflows.
- Fast navigation in Windows File Explorer
. - Faster open times especially when files are already on the local machine.
- Improved open times regarding AutoCAD XREFs of type Overlay.
- Autodesk Docs locking will now automatically be applied to all file types when files are opened.
- Files that are locked by other users will be made read-only on the local machine. Locks will automatically be removed upon closing of the file. Learn more about File Locking.
- Native Windows File Explorer commands/workflows are now available in the Autodesk Docs Connector.
- Improved feedback through the new Desktop Connector Home Screen.
Are there changes with installing Desktop Connector 16.x?
- Updates from previous versions of Desktop Connector will be blocked. Uninstall the previous version before running the 16.x installer. See Upgrade to v16 Desktop Connector help topic for detailed steps.
- Installs will be blocked if you are on versions earlier than Windows 10 Version 1709.
- The default workspace location has been changed to
C:\users\<username>\DC. - The BIM 360 Team Connector is no longer included. Users that need access to BIM 360 Team should remain on a 15.x version of Desktop Connector.
- Uninstalling 16.x and reinstalling 16.x currently requires deleting the local workspace after the uninstall and before reinstalling 16.x Upgrade to v16 Desktop Connector.
Are there any File Explorer behavior changes between 15.x and 16.x?
The following changes being discussed are for the Autodesk Docs Connector only.
Yes, with Desktop Connector 16.x versions you can now use many of the standard Windows File Explorer commands you are accustomed to using. Desktop Connector 15.x versions did not provide these commands. With these enhancements come changes to behaviors that you may have relied on previously with Desktop Connector 15.x versions.
These changes include:
Desktop Connector 16.x versions can no longer block users from moving, renaming, or deleting folders representing the Autodesk Docs Account/Hub, Project, and Project files in File Explorer.
Warning: Doing so while Desktop Connector is running may result in data being deleted in Autodesk Docs.
Tip: If you are looking to save space on your local machine consider using the “Free Up Space” command or use “Select Projects” to safely remove data from your local machine. Before using Free Up Space or Select Projects commands be sure that there are no unsynced files/folders in the workspace. Refer to the section Collecting and Viewing Sync Data for additional information.
The default command when dragging and dropping files/folders in Desktop Connector 16.x is now “Move”, matching the default behavior when using Windows File Explorer.
Warning: Moving files or folders from the Autodesk Docs Connector to a location on your local machine (that is, Desktop, Documents, etc.), that is not managed by Desktop Connector, will result in data being deleted from the cloud. Essentially you have told Desktop Connector to move the data to the new location and remove it from Autodesk Docs.
Tip: It is recommended to hold the Control (CTRL) key when performing a drag and drop to make certain a copy of the data is made instead of moving it. When using Desktop Connector 15.x versions, the default behavior for a drag and drop was “Copy”.
The following images highlight the differences when using File Explorer (drag and drop) with Desktop Connector versions 15.x and 16.x. The example shows the behavior when dragging and dropping a file from Desktop Connector to your local desktop.
Important: If data is accidentally deleted in Autodesk Docs because of the changes in behavior, you can restore these items in the Autodesk Docs web interface. Learn more about the “Deleted Items” capability here.
The Desktop Connector team is actively looking at ways to improve in this area. If you have suggestions on how to improve, you can submit new ideas on the Desktop Connector Public Roadmap. To help prevent accidental deletes see “Delete Confirmation – Are You Sure”?
Are there changes to the way I access my Autodesk Docs projects?
- Desktop Connector 16.x introduces the ability to manage which projects are displayed in File Explorer and within applications dialogs.
- The max number of projects that can be synced to the local machine is 60. This applies to Desktop Connector V16.6.0.2138. Previous versions of v.16.x will have the project limit set to 40.
- Learn more in the Manage Projects help topic.
Are there changes to Autodesk Docs connector permissions?
- Desktop Connector 16.x will now display the full folder path for folders even if they don't have view permission, as long as they have permissions for at least one subfolder. This is a change in behavior compared to 15.x which would truncate the path to hide folders you do not have permission to view.
- Files contained in folders set as View & Download permission will not be set as read-only on the local machine. Users will be able to make changes to the local files. An upload will be attempted but result in a failure displayed in the home screen as the user does not have permission.
Can my company use versions 15.x and 16.x on the same project?
- Due to changes in 16.x it is recommended but not required that everyone moves up to 16.x at the same time.
- With the changes around permissions, users in 15.x may have paths truncated while 16.x will contain the full path.
- The Autodesk Docs connector will no longer fix references on download. Move and Rename operations from the Docs cloud data source can result in files not being found during open operations on the local machine. Resulting behaviors will be similar to working on a local drive or a network share.
- Since environments and configurations can be different for each customer, it is recommended that you test this mix version environment to see if the differences noted affect your users.
- For AutoCAD users there is a change in behavior when performing Save As workflows. In 15.x the parent drawing will retain all references to the new location. With 16.x Save As will only save the parent file and the references will not be attached or saved with that file to the new location.
Can I collaborate in a mixed Desktop Connector version environment?
- While we would encourage everyone in your organization to be on the same version of Desktop Connector, it is not required. It is recommended to make certain all workflows, experiences, and troubleshooting will be identical across the organization.
What if I am on version 16.4 and the contractor and others are on version 16.2. Is that a problem or unsupported?
- NO, this is not a problem since you are on the same version family (version 16.x) and it’s a supported configuration.
- If your organization is on a 16.x family (that is 16.2, 16.3, 16.4) there are no known issues of working and collaborating within the same family of Desktop Connector.
Can I access files when Desktop Connector 16.x is not running?
The Autodesk Docs connector will be accessible even when Desktop Connector is not running.
When the Autodesk Docs connector is not running then local modifications will not be sent to the cloud even after the Desktop Connector is restarted. You will need to copy any changes out and then add them again once the Desktop Connector is running.
Important: It is highly recommended that you do not make changes in your Autodesk Docs connector when Desktop Connector is not running. Changes made (new files or edits of existing files) will not be synced to the cloud even after starting Desktop Connector.
Before making changes in the Autodesk Docs Connector ensure that Desktop Connector is running.
The Fusion and Autodesk Drive connectors will not be accessible when Desktop Connector is not running.
What can cause the Autodesk Docs Connector to not sync files locally?
- Desktop Connector v16.x does not support files or folders with leading or trailing spaces.
- Folders with leading or trailing spaces will show the Sync Pending status while the home screen reflects that everything is up to date. Also, the files in that folder can be seen in the cloud data source but are not shown locally.
- To resolve this issue, you must rename the folder in the cloud data source to remove the leading or trailing space. Once it is removed, remove the project from File Explorer, then add it again. You should now see the correct folder status and the files in the folder are now shown.
Are there any changes when uploading data to Autodesk Docs?
- Drag and Drop upload workflows have been simplified so that only the files in the selection set will be uploaded. (For example, if you drag in a single file, only that file will be uploaded).
- When performing a drag and drop upload, the files in the selection set will have reference support when they contain relative paths.
- If you need to upload an entire dataset and make certain that all file references are also uploaded, a new tool has been added to the Desktop Connector home screen menu called Upload Files and References.
- Drag & Drop workflows have not changed for the Autodesk Drive and Fusion Connectors.
Does Desktop Connector 16.x support long paths?
Yes, Version 16.x changed the way that long paths are handled in the Autodesk Docs connector and those files are supported.
- If you enable windows long path support Autodesk Docs will behave the same even if it is not enabled.
- For additional information see Long Path Workflows for guidance on this topic.
Are there features missing in Desktop Connector 16.x?
- Autodesk Docs specific attributes are not shown in File Explorer (Version, ISO-19650, and others) for the Autodesk Docs Connector.
- The Status property and Rename wizard for ISO-19650 file naming compliance are not available for the Autodesk Docs Connector.
- Desktop Connector shortcut menu commands (Lock/Unlock and View Online) are not available for the Autodesk Docs Connector.
- Drag and drop a design file and automatically upload gathered references is not available. This workflow has been upgraded with a designated Upload Files and References tool allowing you to view all gathered references before upload.
- Limited support for ReCap workflows.
- See the Comparison chart of v15.x and v16.x for Autodesk Docs.
What should I expect when using Navisworks with Desktop Connector 16.x?
- When managing an NWF file with Desktop Connector, opening the NWF in Navisworks will not automatically lock the file. While Desktop Connector 16.x now provides file conflict management, you should lock the NWF from the web before making changes.
- When adding design files (for example, .RVT) into Navisworks, Desktop Connector may lock the design file while the NWC file is created. Once the NWC creation is complete the design file lock is released.
- Users who open a locked NWD (Read-Only), can still fully use the Navisworks Coordination Issues add-on.
Are Inventor workflows supported with Desktop Connector 16.x?
- The Autodesk Docs Connector does not yet support Inventor workflows that require the use of an Inventor project file. For Example: Saving files from Inventor may result in "Unexpected Error" and any edits made to the file may not be properly uploaded.
- The Fusion Team and Autodesk Drive Connectors support Inventor workflows.
Using Desktop Connector v16.4+ with Vault
If you have previously configured Vault Sync with Desktop Connector v15.x or earlier and plan to upgrade to Desktop Connector v16.x, you will need to take action to avoid disruptions in syncing.
- The default workspace location has been changed to
C:\users\<userprofile>\DCwith Desktop Connector v16.x. This change could cause the Job Processor to error on Project Synchronization jobs. An error may also be shown when opening the Project Sync configuration dialog.
- The default workspace location has been changed to
To avoid these errors after installing Desktop Connector 16.x, Edit all Cloud Drive mappings (Docs & Fusion) in the Vault Client:
- Go to Tools > Administration > Vault Settings > Collaborate > Configure.
- Select a mapping and choose “Edit”
- Update the “Cloud Drive folder” to point to the new workspace location.
Note: This may automatically get updated upon editing, be sure to click Ok when exiting the dialog.
Known issues or limitations using Vault and Desktop Connector
Inventor workflows with Autodesk Docs require creating a project file using the Desktop Connector’s workspace location. This is only required for those users not using Vault and a Vault Inventor Project file.
If you are syncing Autodesk Inventor 2024 or 2025 data, you will need to upgrade to Desktop Connector 16.x. Desktop Connector 15.x does not provide reference support for Autodesk Inventor 2024 and 2025.