Launching plain AutoCAD from AutoCAD Mechanical

Autodesk Support

May 28, 2024


Products and versions covered


Issue:

How to create a shortcut for AutoCAD Mechanical that will launch the program with the vanilla AutoCAD profile.

Solution:

Pin the AutoCAD shortcut to Start menu

  1. Click Windows Start.
  2. Find AutoCAD 20xx under AutoCAD Mechanical 20xx folder.
  3. Right click on AutoCAD 20xx shortcut menu.
  4. Choose "Pin to Taskbar."

 

Create a Shortcut Icon on Desktop

Find the AutoCAD Shortcut menu from the location below and paste it on Desktop.
  • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

 

Edit the shortcut from Desktop icon

  1. Right click on the AutoCAD Mechanical icon on the Desktop.
  2. Choose Properties.
  3. Find 'Target' filed under 'Shortcut' tab.
  4. Find a /p followed by the profile name <<ACADMPP>>.
  5. Change this to <<VANILLA>>.  
How to modified the Target in AutoCAD Mechanical's shortcut.
The above graphic shows the two shortcuts. The only difference between the two is the profile name.

Note: The default AutoCAD 20xx menu shortcut from the Start menu may not have an editable Target field. It is designed this way in order to launch the program using registry key references. Use the AutoCAD Mechanical 20xx menu shortcut instead and modify its Target field to have the vanilla profile name.

Products:

AutoCAD; AutoCAD Mechanical;


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