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Installation

1. Download and Install Autodesk AutoCAD​

This section explains the system requirements for AutoCAD and provides step-by-step instructions to download and install the software using an Autodesk student account.

2. System Requirements (Windows)​

System requirements for AutoCAD including Specialized Toolsets (Windows).

  • Operating system

    • 64‑bit Microsoft Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 1809 or above.
    • See Autodesk’s Product Support Lifecycle for current support information.

  • Processor

    • Basic: 2.5–2.9 GHz processor (base).
    • Recommended: 3+ GHz processor (base), 4+ GHz turbo.
    • ARM processors are not supported.

  • Memory (RAM)

    • Basic: 8 GB.
    • Recommended: 16 GB.

  • Display and resolution

    • Conventional displays: 1920 × 1080 with True Color.
    • High‑resolution & 4K displays: up to 3840 × 2160 with a capable graphics card.

  • Graphics card

    • Basic: 1 GB GPU with 29 GB/s bandwidth and DirectX 11 compliant.
    • Recommended: 4 GB GPU with 106 GB/s bandwidth and DirectX 12 compliant.
    • DirectX 12 with Feature Level 12_0 is required for Shaded (Fast) and Shaded with edges (Fast) visual styles.

  • Disk space

    • 10.0 GB free space (SSD strongly recommended).

  • Network

  • Input device

    • MS‑Mouse compliant pointing device (or equivalent).

  • .NET Framework

    • Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.8 or later.

3. Application Installation​

3.1 Access Autodesk website​

  • Create an Autodesk student account (if you do not already have one).
  • After successfully creating the account, click Sign in.

3.2 Sign in to Autodesk​

  • Click the SIGN IN option on the Autodesk page.
  • Enter your email ID and click Next.

  • Enter your password.
  • Click SIGN IN to complete login.

3.3 Select AutoCAD product​

  • After sign‑in, open the View all products page or similar products list.

  • Scroll down to locate Autodesk AutoCAD.
  • Click on Autodesk AutoCAD to open the product details.

  • Complete any billing/eligibility steps if prompted (for student license this is usually free after verification).
  • Once the process is complete, click the option to Download or Install AutoCAD .

3.4 Run the installer​

  • After the installer is downloaded, run the setup file.
  • The installer prepares files and shows a Preparing for installation screen.

3.5 Accept license and choose path​

  • When the Autodesk License and Services Agreement is displayed, read the terms.
  • Select I agree (or equivalent), then click Next.

  • Choose the installation drive and folder (default is usually C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD ).
  • After confirming the path, click Install.

3.6 Complete installation and launch AutoCAD​

  • Wait while **Autodesk AutoCAD ** installs; this can take several minutes depending on system speed.

  • When installation completes, click Start or Finish to launch AutoCAD .

  • On first launch, sign in with your Autodesk ID if prompted to activate your student license.