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How to: Perform a clean installation (Clean Start) of Stabicad

Modified: 27 May 2026 Stabicad
Not version-specific
Stabicad
Context: Why a 'clean' installation? Laptops are great, but we often just close the lid when we are done. What we don't see is that Windows is often busy with (essential) background updates. When the laptop goes to sleep, these processes are interrupted. Because Stabicad works intensively with a database (Microsoft SQL Server), missing these updates can cause malfunctions. Is Stabicad no longer working or are you getting database errors? Follow these steps for a clean slate.
Workflow: Clean Start
Step 1: Uninstall Stabicad
  1. Completely close AutoCAD and/or Revit.
  2. In Windows, go to Settings > Apps (or Control Panel > Programs and Features).
  3. Search for Stabicad in the list. Click on the program and select Uninstall.
Step 2: Clean up the SQL Database (Important!) Stabicad uses Microsoft SQL Server Express. When uninstalling Stabicad, this remains intact to prevent data loss. To truly start 'clean', we must also remove this.
  1. In the same Windows list, look for Microsoft SQL Server 20xx (64-bit). (Note: Ignore lines like 'Setup' or 'Language Browser', specifically choose the 64-bit line).
  2. Click Uninstall.
  3. During the uninstallation, Windows will ask which 'instance' (component) you want to remove. Specifically choose the instance named STABICAD or STABICAD2017.
Step 3: Updates & The real restart
  1. Go to Windows Update and click 'Check for updates'. Install all available updates.
  2. Now completely restart the laptop via Start > Power > Restart. (Merely closing and opening the lid is NOT a restart!)
Step 4: Reinstall Stabicad
  1. Run the Stabicadsetup.exe file in your downloaded installation folder again. The software will automatically create and configure a fresh SQL database.

 

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