It is the lock file AutoCAD creates while a .dwg drawing is open, recording who has it open so two people cannot edit the same drawing at once. The .dwl2 is a companion lock used by newer versions.

Is it safe to delete .dwl and .dwl2 files?

Yes, once the drawing is closed everywhere. They hold no drawing geometry, so deleting orphaned locks does not harm your .dwg.

Why won't my .dwl file delete?

Usually AutoCAD crashed or a hidden acad.exe process is still running, or a sync client is holding the folder. End the process (or restart) and pause syncing, then delete it.

How do I stop AutoCAD from creating .dwl files?

They are created automatically whenever a drawing is open and cannot be fully disabled, but they are removed on a clean close. If orphans keep appearing, AutoCAD is crashing or being force-quit — fix that instead of trying to suppress the locks.

What Is a .dwl / .dwl2 File? (AutoCAD Lock File You Can Delete)

AutoCAD left a .dwl and .dwl2 file next to your drawing and it will not go away. They are just lock files. Here is what they do and how to clear orphaned ones safely.

What .dwl and .dwl2 files are

A .dwl file (with its companion .dwl2) is the drawing lock AutoCAD writes the moment a drawing (.dwg) is opened. They share the drawing's name and sit in the same folder — open FloorPlan.dwg and AutoCAD creates FloorPlan.dwl and FloorPlan.dwl2 beside it. The .dwl records who has the file open; the newer .dwl2 stores the same lock info in a format later AutoCAD versions use.

Why they exist

The lock tells AutoCAD and anyone on a shared drive that the drawing is already open, so a second person cannot edit it at the same time and overwrite the work. The files store the user name, computer name, and the time the drawing was opened. When you close the drawing normally, AutoCAD deletes both automatically.

Why they will not delete

If the lock files stay behind when nobody has the drawing open, AutoCAD did not shut down cleanly — a crash, a force-quit, or a hidden acad.exe process still holding the lock. On a network share, another user or a sync client may still have the folder open.

Are they safe to delete?

Yes — once the drawing is closed everywhere. The .dwl and .dwl2 hold none of your geometry; they only mark the drawing as in use. Deleting orphaned locks does not harm the .dwg. The next time someone opens the drawing, AutoCAD creates fresh lock files.

How to clear stuck .dwl / .dwl2 files

1. Make sure the drawing is closed on every machine. 2. Open Task Manager and end any lingering acad.exe process. 3. Delete the .dwl and .dwl2 next to the .dwg. 4. If they still will not delete, restart to release the ghost lock. As an alternative, run RECOVER on the drawing in AutoCAD and save — the lock files clear themselves.

On a shared / network drawing

Confirm no other user still has the drawing open and that no backup or OneDrive/Dropbox client is syncing the folder. A sync client that keeps the file open will recreate the lock immediately after you delete it.

What Is a .dwl File?