AutoCAD appears to be launching multiple sessions

Autodesk Support

Apr 4, 2025

Products and versions covered

Issue:

When you open multiple drawings in AutoCAD, looking at the Windows taskbar, it appears that additional sessions of AutoCAD are running.

AutoCAD with multiple instances 
User-added image


Checking processes in Windows Task Manager, only one session of AutoCAD is running. 

Task Manager showing AutoCAD with multiple instances

Causes:

  • The AutoCAD system variable TASKBAR is set to a value of 1. 
    • AutoCAD Icon on Taskbar
  • The Windows taskbar setting may be configured where taskbar buttons do not stack.
 

Solution:

Try one or more of the followings:

  • Set the TASKBAR variable in AutoCAD to 0.
  • Change the Windows taskbar properties to "Never combine" or "Combine when taskbar is full".
Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

Products:

AutoCAD Products;

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