ChatGPT 4o - AutoCAD Windows 11 Fix

Shaltif: Need some guidance. Got a friend who's computer is having issues (or more accurately, an application is having issues). They are trying to run autoCAD, which worked fine originally... but a recent Windows 11 update seemed to have caused some issues. Here are the error messages they are receiving.

Can you give me some advice on how I could possibly assist them in fixing this issue?

ChatGPT: The errors your friend is encountering indicate issues with specific DLL files and compatibility problems. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help resolve the problem:

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### 1. **Check for Missing or Corrupted Files**
   - **VCOMP140.DLL**: This is part of the **Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable** package. The "Bad Image" error suggests it is corrupted or missing.
     - **Solution**: Reinstall the latest version of the **Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable** (both x86 and x64 versions):
       1. Download it from the official Microsoft website ([Visual C++ Redistributable](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist)).
       2. Uninstall existing versions if necessary, then reinstall the downloaded packages.
       3. Restart the computer and try running AutoCAD again.

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### 2. **Repair AutoCAD Installation**
   - Corrupted or outdated AutoCAD files (e.g., `accore.dll`, `AcDrawBridge.dll`) can cause the "Entry Point Not Found" errors.
     - **Solution**:
       1. Open the **Control Panel** → **Programs and Features**.
       2. Locate AutoCAD in the list, right-click, and select **Repair** (if available).
       3. If no repair option exists, uninstall and reinstall AutoCAD from the official Autodesk website or installation media.

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### 3. **Update AutoCAD**
   - Ensure that AutoCAD is fully updated to the latest version, as Autodesk often releases patches to fix compatibility issues with new Windows updates.
     - Use AutoCAD’s **Autodesk Desktop App** or visit the official Autodesk site to check for updates or patches specific to AutoCAD 2025.

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### 4. **Roll Back or Update Windows**
   - Windows updates occasionally cause application incompatibilities. You have two options:
     - **Rollback the Update**:
       1. Go to **Settings** → **Windows Update** → **Update history** → **Uninstall updates**.
       2. Find the recent update and uninstall it.
     - **Check for Additional Updates**:
       - Sometimes Microsoft releases hotfixes for known issues. Make sure all pending updates are installed.

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### 5. **Check for Conflicting Software**
   - Antivirus or third-party security tools can block or quarantine files. Disable any such tools temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.

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### 6. **Verify Environment Variables**
   - Ensure that system environment variables (like `PATH`) are set correctly and include the directories for AutoCAD and required libraries.

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### 7. **Run as Administrator**
   - Right-click on the AutoCAD shortcut and select **Run as Administrator** to ensure it has sufficient permissions.

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### 8. **Check for GPU Drivers**
   - AutoCAD relies heavily on graphics drivers. Ensure the graphics drivers are up-to-date:
     - Visit the GPU manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest drivers for the system.

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### 9. **Use Dependency Walker (Advanced)**
   - If the issue persists, use a tool like [Dependency Walker](http://www.dependencywalker.com/) to analyze which DLLs AutoCAD is attempting to load and whether any are missing.

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### 10. **Contact Autodesk Support**
   - If none of the above steps work, reach out to Autodesk support. Provide them with the exact error messages and details about the recent Windows update.

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Would you like help with any specific step, or does your friend need additional guidance?