Autodesk Desktop Connector (v17.1.0.16)

From Autodesk: February 2, 2026

This release brings important improvements to Desktop Connector with enhanced user experience, better performance, and critical bug fixes.

While upgrading is optional, our support team will recommend testing your workflow with the latest version to access the newest features and improvements.

*I would like to draw special attention to the word optional as it is used in this passage. While ANY update from Autodesk is technically optional, it’s always in your best interest (especially when trying to maintain a steady, unbroken workflow) to ensure ALL of your Autodesk products are up to date.

…That being said, Let’s jump in and take a look at what new offerings this update has for us!

What’s new

16.x to 17.x migration improvements

  • Smoother upgrade experience: When upgrading from version 16.x to 17.x, Desktop Connector automatically checks your workspace and backs up any files that don’t match what’s stored in the cloud. If many files need attention, Desktop Connector will archive your files and resubscribe to your projects automatically, giving you a fresh start.

Performance improvements

  • Reduced memory usage with many projects: Desktop Connector now uses significantly less memory when subscribed to many projects. This improvement makes Desktop Connector more efficient on systems with many project subscriptions.
  • Faster project scanning: Desktop Connector now spends less time scanning for changes in projects you haven’t recently interacted with, resulting in faster overall performance.

Enhanced user experience

  • Windows 11 context menu improvements: Desktop Connector menu items now appear directly in the Windows 11 context menu without requiring users to click “Show more options.” This improvement makes it faster and easier to access Desktop Connector features when right-clicking on files and folders.
  • Renamed “Create viewable” to “Process for viewing”: The right-click menu option has been updated to align with Autodesk Docs terminology.
  • Administrator controls for delete notifications: Admins can now disable delete notifications or configure the deleted file threshold that triggers a delete notification for a specific machine or user through the registry. By default, users are notified when 1 or more files are deleted, but administrators can adjust this threshold to any number or turn off notifications entirely.
  • Free Up Space now works on folders: The “Free Up Space” option is now properly enabled for folders that contain downloaded files, making it easier to free up disk space at the folder level.
  • Duplicate filename detection: Desktop Connector now notifies you in the Troubleshooter when it detects duplicate file name entries from long and short 8.3 filename variants in your workspace, helping you understand why certain sync operations may be failing.
  • Reset Utility no longer requires exiting Desktop Connector first: The Reset Utility can now safely shut down Desktop Connector when it runs, eliminating the need to manually exit Desktop Connector before running the utility. Learn more about the Reset Utility.

Upload with References improvements

  • Improved upload settings clarity: The “Always upload with references” setting has been renamed to “Always ask to include references” with a helpful tooltip that explains when files are uploaded with or without the upload with references dialog, making it easier to understand this option.
  • Show only files with issues: A new toggle on the Select page allows you to filter the file list to show only files with missing references or other issues. This makes it easier to focus on resolving problems before uploading. The toggle can be turned on or off as needed, and is disabled when no issues are found.
  • Circular and self-reference detection: When resolving missing referenced files, Desktop Connector now detects if the file you choose would create a self-reference (a file referencing itself) or a circular reference (files referencing each other in a loop). If detected, you’ll see a warning icon with a clear message explaining the issue so you can choose a different file.
  • See parent files of missing references: When a file is missing, the tooltip now displays both its parent files and the missing file’s path, making it easier to understand file dependencies and resolve missing reference issues.
  • Change resolved file references: After resolving a missing referenced file, you can choose a different file if needed, giving you more flexibility to correct file references.
  • Warning when unchecking files: If you uncheck files in the Select page and click Next, a warning dialog will appear explaining that unselected files will not be uploaded and may create missing references that could prevent others from opening or viewing the complete assembly.
  • See all files in folders: When dragging folders into the Upload with References dialog, all original files contained in those folders are now displayed even if you cancel the Inventor Project File selection, making it easier to see what will be uploaded.
  • Better error messages for long paths: When the Upload Dialog cannot retrieve referenced files because a file path exceeds the Windows OS path length limit, you’ll now receive a clear, appropriate error message explaining the issue.

NOTE: In order to run the update installer, you will first need to EXIT the Desktop Connector (from your Hidden Icons).

                     

To see a complete list of the update details, including Bug Fixes & Stability resolutions, head over to Autodesk’s Desktop Connector Release Notes.

If you want to download this newly released version of the Desktop Connector, click the icon below.