The Autodesk Desktop App was the background program that installed updates for AutoCAD, Revit and other Autodesk software on Windows. Autodesk retired it in 2023 and replaced it with Autodesk Access, which does the same job: it lists available updates for the Autodesk products on your computer, installs them, and lets administrators control who may install what. If you still see "Autodesk Desktop App" on a computer, it is an old leftover and can be removed; Autodesk Access is installed together with current Autodesk products and is meant to stay.
Autodesk Desktop App vs Autodesk Access
| Autodesk Desktop App | Autodesk Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Retired (2023) | Current |
| What it does | Product updates, notifications, learning content | Product updates and installs, admin control of installs |
| Installed by | Older Autodesk product installers | The Autodesk installer of current products |
| Can you uninstall it? | Yes, through Windows Settings or Control Panel | Treated by Autodesk as part of the installer; check Autodesk's current guidance or your IT admin before removing |
Do you need it?
For a single user, the practical value is updates: AutoCAD and Revit receive fixes and security updates through it. In an office, IT usually manages updates centrally and may control Autodesk Access through deployment settings instead of letting each user install updates. If your computer is managed by your company, leave it to IT.
How to remove the old Autodesk Desktop App
- Close any Autodesk programs.
- In Task Manager, end any remaining "Autodesk Desktop App" processes.
- Open Settings, Apps, Installed apps (or Control Panel, Programs and Features).
- Select Autodesk Desktop App and choose Uninstall.
- If you still use Autodesk products, install the current Autodesk Access from your Autodesk account so updates keep arriving.
Common problems and fixes
- It starts with Windows and you do not want it to: check Startup apps in Task Manager. Disabling startup does not uninstall it; updates simply arrive when you open it.
- Updates fail: sign out and back in to your Autodesk account, then retry; on managed computers, updates may be blocked on purpose.
- It shows products you no longer have: uninstall those products properly, then restart.
A note for people who only open drawings
Many people with Autodesk software installed mostly view and mark up drawings rather than edit them. If that is you, a PDF set exported from AutoCAD, Revit, and ArchiCAD may be all you need, opened in a PDF editor built for drawings. Ncored is the one we built in our architecture studio: heavy sets open fast and stay smooth to zoom and pan on Windows and Mac, with markup, measurement to scale and revision compare. It does not open DWG files. See free DWG viewers for that, and how much AutoCAD costs if you are reviewing licences.
Frequently asked questions
What is Autodesk Access?
Autodesk's current update and install manager for its desktop products, which replaced the Autodesk Desktop App in 2023.
Is it safe to uninstall the Autodesk Desktop App?
Yes. It is retired; removing it does not remove AutoCAD or Revit. Install Autodesk Access if you still want product updates.
Why is Autodesk Access running in the background?
It checks for updates to your installed Autodesk products. It can be removed from startup if you prefer to check for updates manually.
Does Autodesk Access need an internet connection?
To check for and download updates, yes. Your installed Autodesk products have their own licensing requirements regardless of Access.
Related: CAD programs for architects, AutoCAD LT vs AutoCAD, what is an xref in AutoCAD.