How to restore the classic workspace in AutoCAD 2015 and later

Autodesk Support

Jul 17, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

This article describes how to set up or configure the classic workspace in current releases of AutoCAD. The classic workspace has not been included as a default workspace since the release of AutoCAD 2015. 
Note: This does not apply to AutoCAD for Mac, which does not have a "workspace" interface like the Windows version.

Solution:

To add the classic workspace, do one or more of the following: 

Use a script

Download and run the script included in the Classic Workspace Script.zip file attached to this article:
  1. Click the attached ZIP file to download it.
  2. Extract the ZIP file to find the ClassicWS.scr script file.
  3. Start AutoCAD.
  4. Drag the ClassicWS.scr file into any drawing window or use the SCRIPT command to run it.
Note: The ZIP attachment also contains CUIx files from AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD LT 2014. These files may be used to manually import the Classic Workspace as described later in this article.

Manually add toolbars with the Quick Access Toolbar

  1. From the Quick Access Toolbar, select Show Menu Bar.
    Quick Access Toolbar
  2. From the Tools menu, select Palettes > Ribbon. Alternatively, enter RIBBONCLOSE on the command line.
  3. From the Tools menu, select Toolbars > AutoCAD.
    Tools Menu
  4. Select a toolbar and dock it around the canvas/drawing area.
  5. Select any other desired toolbars.
  6. Select Tools > Workspaces > Save Current As and save the workspace.

Add the toolbars with Customize User Interface for AutoCAD

  • Drag and drop method:
  1. Enter the CUI command to open the Customize User Interface window.
  2. Select a workspace or create one.
  3. Click the plus symbol to open the Toolbars tree on the left side.
  4. Drag the desired toolbars to the Toolbars tree on the right side.
  5. Click Apply and then OK to close the configuration editor.
  • Customize Workspace method:
  1. Enter the CUI command to open the Customize User Interface window.
  2. Select a workspace or create one in the Customizations in All Files pane on the left.
  3. Click the Customize Workspace button in the Workspace Contents pane on the right.
  4. Click the plus symbol next to Toolbars in the tree on the left. 
  5. In the list under Toolbars, check the box next to toolbars to add them to the selected workspace. They will be shown under Toolbars on the right (see below).
  6. Click Done on the right.
  7. Click Apply and then OK to close the configuration editor. 
 
Customize User Interface Window

Add the toolbars with Customize User Interface for AutoCAD Mechanical

The ACADMPP profile is different from the Vanilla (or plain) AutoCAD profile in AutoCAD Mechanical, check these specific workflows:
  1. How to restore the classic workspace in AutoCAD Mechanical (screencast)
  2. How to restore the classic workspace in AutoCAD Mechanical (alternate screencast) - Use the undocumented AM_MECHANICAL_TOOLBARS_FULL command.

Import the workspace from a previous version of AutoCAD

  1. From the Manage tab in the ribbon, click Import. 
  2. In the customization editor, click the Transfer tab. The current configuration file is in the right pane of the window.
  3. In the left pane, load the configuration file, acad.cuix, from AutoCAD 2014 or earlier.
  4. From the workspace list in the left pane, drag AutoCAD Classic to the workspace list in the right pane.
  5. Click Apply and then OK to close the configuration editor.

Migrate the workspace from a previous version of AutoCAD

If a previous version of AutoCAD is still installed on the system, or if its installation folders are still present, follow these steps:
  1. Go to Start menu > AutoCAD [LT] version - language > Reset settings to defaults.
  2. Complete the reset process. 
  3. Once the software starts, close it.
  4. Open the software again. The Migrate Custom Settings tool will display.
  5. Choose the desired version from the drop-down menu and other settings as needed.
  6. Confirm with the check mark.
 
 

Products:

AutoCAD Products;

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