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How to configure and get started with Vault

Technical Support

Issue:

This article can help with the following:

  • How to best setup and implement/install Vault Server and Client.
  • Configure it alongside Inventor or AutoCAD for storing files.
  • Give access to Vault files for users within company.
  • Help on implementation for new Vault environments.

Solution:

Autodesk Partners

Setting up Vault can be challenging for new users. Although a beginner can do it, they might face problems and it can be costly. Autodesk Partners are experienced at installing Vault and although they charge a fee, it's worth it. To find a partner use the PARTNER LOCATOR.

 

If you do decide to "go it alone", (which is not something that Autodesk recommends) the Online Vault Help and the System requirements for Autodesk Vault products are invaluable resources for Vault users at any level.

Installing and Configuring without Autodesk Partners


Note: The following steps refer to implementing Vault Basic Edition. Vault Professional has significantly more functionality. 

Before setting out on the Vault journey, It is recommended to perform the following steps (click to expand):

  1. Understand that Vault is a Client and Server solution

     

    • To understand what Vault is see the following article: Vault 2026 Help | What is Vault?
    • Client version should match server version as a best practice. For example Vault 2025 Client works with Vault 2025 server. Clients can be two versions back from the server. See the article Vault Client and CAD add-on compatibility with Server versions
    • The Vault client installs CAD add-ins for the same year version. For example Vault 2025 Client automatically installs the CAD add-ins for Inventor and AutoCAD 2025.

     

  2. Install Vault Server

     

    Download the software from the Autodesk portal then start by installing Vault Server. See the following articles:

     

  3. Create/restore a Vault

     

    Create a Vault (or restore an existing Vault) in the ADMS Console. See the following article:

     

  4. Create users in Vault
     
    See the following article on adding new users in Vault:

     

  5. Install the Vault Client software
     
    See the following article to install the Vault Client:

     

  6. Check the installed supporting components
     
    Check the installed supporting components for client software (Vault Add-ins) (for example, 'Inventor add-on'), Add-ons are installed based on the currently installed software, so install the Vault Client last. See the following article:

     

  7. Check updates for Vault Server and Client

    Check that the latest updates for Vault Server and Client are installed. If upgrading, verify that the server updates are installed before migrating any databases. Updates can be found in Autodesk Account.

     

  8. If using Inventor

     

    If using Inventor, set up Vault for using a 'Default Inventor Project File' and to enforce a 'Consistent Client Working Folder'.
    • The workspace should be local and not on a remote network share. Multiple users using the same network share allows others to modify files when they are checked out, which can result in data corruption. Opening files over the network also increases the chances of data corruption. 

     

  9. Using Autoloader
     
    Use Autoloader to upload existing Inventor assemblies, parts, and libraries. See the following article:

     

  10. Enforce Unique File Names

    After bulk loading historical data to the Vault, turn on "Enforce Unique File Names".

    1. Open Vault client drop-down.
    2. Go to Tools.
    3. Go to Administration.
    4. Open Vault Settings.
    5. In Files, tick Enforce Unique File Names under Options.

    Vault setting to Enforce Unique File Names

     

  11. Leave "Disable Check-in of Design Files" ticked

     

    Leave "Disable Check-in of Design Files" ticked. Enabling this option prevents users from dragging and dropping CAD files into the Vault. Upload all data to the Vault using Vault Add-ins for client software to check in new files to Vault. See the following article:

     

  12. Back up your Vault

     

    Administrators, back up your Vault. Lightning can strike. It might be critical data for your business, don't get caught out. Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan:

     

  13. SQL Maintenance plan

     

    Administrators run a SQL Maintenance plan once per week. This enforces that the database is always optimized for performance. The article contains steps for SQL Standard and Express editions: Server Maintenance Part 6: Create SQL Maintenance Plan.

     

  14. Storage limits and Upgrading to SQL standard

     

    Administrators Plan for future growth of the server and avoid the 10GB database size limit by monitoring the database or upgrading to SQL standard:

     

Products:

AutoCAD; Inventor; Vault Basic; Vault Professional;

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