What is Autodesk Desktop Connector?

New and innovative software is everywhere, and Autodesk is no exception.  Autodesk is constantly on the forefront of collaborating efforts.  With Autodesk Drive, Autodesk Docs, Autodesk BIM 360/Autodesk Construction Cloud available to access from anywhere and to share within and outside of a single entity, the possibilities for collaboration are endless.

What does this have to do with Autodesk Desktop Connector?  In order to go between the online location and local machine, there needs to be something to sync the two together.  That’s where the Autodesk Desktop Connector comes in.  

Look in the tray on the taskbar to find the Desktop Connector app:

Or on the desktop with this icon:

Once opened, there is a drop down arrow in the Desktop Connector app that allows the option to toggle between the Autodesk Docs, Drive, and Fusion 360 depending on what is being used and the Autodesk products downloaded.

How to Install Autodesk Desktop Connector v16

Unlike previous versions of the Autodesk Desktop Connector, before installing, the older versions must be uninstalled.

  • Step 1 – Uninstall any versions of Desktop Connector currently on your machine
  • Select Start and look for Desktop Connector in the program list.
  • Right-click Desktop Connector and click Uninstall.
  • Step 3 – Install latest version of Autodesk Desktop Connector found here
  • Step 2 – Uninstalling Desktop Connector will not remove files in the local workspace (typically located in %userprofile%\<drive name>). The old workspace location should be deleted manually where applicable:
  • ACCDocs folder for Autodesk Docs
  • ADrive for Autodesk Drive
  • Fusion for Fusion 360

            Sample file shown in Windows Explorer                 VS.               Sample file shown Online on Fusion 360

Latest Download of Desktop Connector 

As of the date of this blog post, the latest Autodesk Desktop Connector download is 16.1.1 and located for download here.

Upgraded features for Desktop Connector v16

  • 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.
How to access Autodesk Desktop Connector after updating

Recap 

  • What is Autodesk Desktop Connector? – Connects the local machine to Autodesk Drive, ACC/BIM 360, etc.
  • Be sure to delete older versions before installing Autodesk Desktop Connector v16+
  • Upgrade to the latest version here
  • Several upgraded features to V16+

 

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