April 19, 2021

Brief process overview of an Autodesk 2021 software installation

Charl van der Merwe

Brief process overview of an Autodesk 2021 software installation

Introduction

The aim of this blog is to give you an overview of a typical Autodesk product installation with the Subscription purchase model in mind.

There are many variation and extra considerations but in this blog we’ll just discuss the main overview.

Autodesk Installation procedure 2021

Creating End-User Profile

After the Subscription purchase the Contract Manager or administrator will create and assign the purchased license to an end user’s email adress. If a single subscription is purchased for an individual, Autodesk will assign the license automatically to the individual person’s email adress.

Thereafter the end-users should receive a Welcome email which they would read through and click on the “Verify or Create their account” button. Completing the steps will create an Autodesk Account for the user. The URL of the Autodesk Account is https://manage.autodesk.com

Download Software

The end-user can download the software by logging into their Autodesk Account. Selecting “All Products” on the left and then in the middle select the Collection of it it’s a single product like AutoCAD then select the “Downloads” button on the right side next to the software. These are large download ranging form 2GB for AutoCAD and 14GB for Revit. So, in a multi user environment only download the software once and distribute the install files amongst the users. When downloading the install files, use the option “Browser Download”.

Also download the product updates in the same area. As well as any Licensing updates.

In the case of Revit 2021 you need to download additional content at : https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/downloads/content/autodesk-revit-2021-content.html

Download your country’s content but if you are not sure download the UK templates and Content from the lists. When installing the content libraries Right-click and “Run as Administrator” as these extractions need to have rights to create folders on your PC.

Also note that all 2021 Autodesk software are 64bit only. If the PC is 32bit you need to download version 2019 of the Autodesk software.

Also make sure you use Windows 10 if possible and make sure you have updated Windows 10 at : https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Installing software

Before installing Autodesk software make sure the Windows UAC is turned off : https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-turn-off-User-Account-Control-in-Windows.html#:~:text=To%20turn%20off%20UAC%3A,and%20then%20restart%20the%20computer

And disable any Anti-Virus checkers.

Then run only the first EXE in the series which will extract to c:\Autodesk and start the install. Once installed run the updates including the product update and licensing updates. In case of Revit 2021 install the UK content.

Starting the software

When starting the software make sure the internet is on and then start the software. Select the “Log in using Autodesk ID” option and sign in using your email adress and password.