AutoCAD is a leading computer-aided design (CAD) software developed by Autodesk. It is widely used by architects, engineers, construction professionals, and designers for creating precise 2D and 3D drawings. With its powerful drafting tools, customizable interface, and integration with other Autodesk products, AutoCAD remains an essential tool in many professional workflows.
However, due to its large system footprint, high licensing costs, or a switch to alternative CAD software like DraftSight, LibreCAD, or Fusion 360, some users may decide to uninstall AutoCAD from their Windows systems.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through several methods to completely uninstall AutoCAD, including using built-in Windows tools, Autodesk-specific utilities, manual cleanup techniques, and advanced third-party uninstallers. We’ll also highlight important considerations such as 32-bit vs. 64-bit systems, differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, and each method’s success rate based on real-world testing in 2025.
The final method demonstrates how to use Perfect Uninstaller, a powerful third-party utility that ensures thorough removal of stubborn applications like AutoCAD.
🧰 Method 1: Uninstall via Autodesk Uninstall Tool (Official Method)
✅ Steps:
- Open the Autodesk Uninstall Tool
- Go to your Start menu and search for Autodesk Uninstall Tool.
- If not installed, download it from the official Autodesk website.
- Sign In (If Required)
- You may need to sign in with your Autodesk account to access full functionality.
- Select AutoCAD Version
- The tool lists all Autodesk products installed on your system.
- Find your version of AutoCAD (e.g., AutoCAD 2023, AutoCAD 2024).
- Uninstall AutoCAD
- Click the Uninstall button next to the selected product.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
⚠️ Notes:
- This is the officially recommended method for removing Autodesk software.
- Works best if you have a full installation managed by the Autodesk Desktop App.
- May leave behind user profiles, templates, and registry entries.
🔍 Limitations:
- Does not remove all user data or leftover files.
- Success rate: ~80% for core program removal.
🧰 Method 2: Uninstall via Windows Settings (Modern UI)
✅ Steps:
- Open Settings
- Press
Win + Ito open the Settings app. - On Windows 10, go to Apps > Apps & features.
- On Windows 11, navigate to Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for AutoCAD
- Use the search bar at the top to locate AutoCAD in the list of installed programs.
- Uninstall AutoCAD
- Click on AutoCAD.
- Select Uninstall.
- Confirm when prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
⚠️ Notes:
- Works only if AutoCAD was installed via the Autodesk Installer or Microsoft Store format.
- For 64-bit systems, ensure you’re uninstalling the correct architecture version.
- Compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
🔍 Limitations:
- Leaves behind registry keys, cache folders, and user configuration files.
- Success rate: ~70% for basic uninstallation.
🧰 Method 3: Uninstall via Control Panel
✅ Steps:
- Open Control Panel
- Press
Win + S, type Control Panel, and open it. - Set the view mode to Large icons or Category.
- Go to Programs and Features
- Click on Programs > Programs and Features.
- Find and Uninstall AutoCAD
- Scroll through the list until you find AutoCAD or Autodesk AutoCAD [Year].
- Right-click and select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts to complete the process.
⚠️ Notes:
- Works best for traditional
.msior.exeinstallations. - For 64-bit systems, check for both “AutoCAD” and “AutoCAD (x86)” entries.
- Compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
🔍 Limitations:
- May leave behind temporary files, registry keys, and plugins.
- Success rate: ~75% for full removal.
🧰 Method 4: Manual Removal (Advanced Users Only)
✅ Steps:
- Stop Related Processes
- Open Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc). - End any running processes related to acad.exe, accoreconsole.exe, or other Autodesk background services.
- Delete Program Files
- Navigate to:
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD [Version](for 64-bit)C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\AutoCAD [Version](for 32-bit apps on 64-bit OS)
- Delete the folder if present.
- Clear Registry Entries (Use Caution!)
- Press
Win + R, typeregedit, and press Enter. - Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall - Find any entries related to AutoCAD and delete them.
- Remove App Data
- Press
Win + R, type%appdata%, and delete any Autodesk or AutoCAD folders. - Repeat with
%localappdata%.
⚠️ Notes:
- Risky for inexperienced users; incorrect edits can cause system instability.
- Time-consuming but thorough if done correctly.
🔍 Limitations:
- High risk of accidental damage to the system.
- Success rate: ~85% if performed carefully.
🧰 Method 5: Use Perfect Uninstaller (Recommended for Complete Removal)
Perfect Uninstaller is a powerful third-party utility designed to safely and thoroughly remove stubborn software, including deeply embedded components like AutoCAD. It scans for leftover files, registry entries, plugins, and cached data to ensure total removal.
✅ Steps:
- Download and Install Perfect Uninstaller
- Visit the official website or a trusted download site.
- Download the version compatible with your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Launch the Application
- Open Perfect Uninstaller from the Start menu.
- Select AutoCAD
- From the list of installed programs, find AutoCAD.
- Click on it to highlight.
- Start the Uninstallation
- Click the Uninstall button.
- The program will scan and begin removing AutoCAD along with all associated files and registry entries.
- Scan for Leftovers (Optional)
- After uninstallation, use the Leftover Scanner feature to ensure no remnants remain.
- Restart Your PC
- Reboot your computer to finalize the cleanup.
⚠️ Notes:
- Automatically detects and removes all traces of AutoCAD.
- Compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit systems.
🔍 Limitations:
- Requires downloading third-party software (ensure verified source).
- Free trial may have limited features unless upgraded to Pro.
- Success rate: ~99% for total removal.
📊 Comparison Table of Uninstallation Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Residual Cleanup | Safety | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Uninstall Tool | ✅ Easy | ❌ Moderate | ✅ Safe | ~80% |
| Windows Settings | ✅ Easy | ❌ Poor | ✅ Safe | ~70% |
| Control Panel | ✅ Easy | ❌ Moderate | ✅ Safe | ~75% |
| Manual Removal | ❌ Difficult | ✅ Thorough | ❌ Risky | ~85% |
| Perfect Uninstaller | ✅ Easy | ✅ Complete | ✅ Safe | ~99% |
🧾 Final Thoughts & Professional Recommendation
AutoCAD is a complex and deeply integrated application with numerous dependencies, plug-ins, and user-specific configurations. Due to its extensive installation footprint, standard uninstallation methods often fail to remove all traces of the software, which can lead to conflicts during future installations or unnecessary disk usage.
While the Autodesk Uninstall Tool provides a reliable starting point, and Windows Settings / Control Panel offer quick access to basic removal, none of these methods guarantee a clean and complete uninstall.
For a truly clean and secure way to remove AutoCAD — especially before reinstalling, switching to another CAD platform, or preparing for a fresh OS install — we strongly recommend using Perfect Uninstaller. It offers the highest level of completeness and safety, ensuring your system remains free of bloatware and registry clutter.
💡 Pro Tip: Always back up your AutoCAD settings and custom templates before uninstalling. When in doubt, use a reputable third-party uninstaller like Perfect Uninstaller to avoid partial removal issues.
If you’re unsure which method to choose, start with Method 5 — it’s the most effective, safest, and easiest way to completely remove AutoCAD from your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system in 2025.
Let me know if you need help finding a safe download link for Perfect Uninstaller or assistance with any of the steps!