How to manually transfer AutoCAD user settings

How to manually transfer AutoCAD settings from one computer to another when the specific AutoCAD version does not have the settings export/import utilities. This process can also be used to apply working settings to a specific user account, particularly if that account is unable to initialize AutoCAD due to a redirected profile folder or a similar environment being in place.
 

Solution:

User settings in AutoCAD for Windows are stored in two folders and a registry path (in AutoCAD for Mac, see the link referenced below). After installing AutoCAD and running the program once to make sure it works and has gone through its secondary installer process, follow the steps below to copy over the settings to another account or computer:

1. Exit AutoCAD.
2. Make a copy of the following two folders in a location accessible by all user accounts:
   For Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10:
   C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx
   C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx
   For Windows XP:
   C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx
   C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx
   Note: These paths contain hidden folders.
   
3. Export a copy of the AutoCAD registry key:
   
   1. Press WINDOWS-R on the keyboard to bring up the Run window, enter REGEDIT and click OK.
      
   2. Find the following registry key:
      
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\Rxx.x\ACAD-xxxx:40x
      
      This path is unique for each version of AutoCAD. To see which 'ACAD-xxxx' refers to, select it and then look at the keys on the right side of the Registry Editor. One of the keys will show the install path to the AutoCAD it applies to. The '40x' number signifies the language version of AutoCAD.
      
   3. Right-click the 'ACAD-xxxx:40x' folder and choose Export.
      
   4. Enter a file name of your choice, choose a location to save the file, and then click Save.
      
   5. Close the Registry Editor.
      
4. Log in to the destination user account.
   
5. Copy over the two folders to their respective locations.
   
6. Double-click the .reg file to apply it to the registry. The .reg file can be deleted after use unless you wish to use it again.
   

Additionally, some support files can be copied directly into the Support folder paths. Following is a generic list. Each product and version may have slightly different paths. Refer to the file paths in Options > Files for the version in question.

Plot Files
C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 201XX\RXX\enu\Plotters
Plotters
C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\RXX\enu\Plotters\PMP Files
Plot Styles
C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\RXX\enu\Plotters\Plot Styles
Drawing Templates
C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\RXX\enu\Template
Shapes
C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\RXX\enu\Support


Warning!
Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the "Microsoft Knowledge Base". Use the Microsoft Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft article How to back up and restore the registry in Windows and in the related solution How to backup the system registry. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.