Critical update required for “pre-release has expired” error

When you open AutoCAD 2018 (or another AutoCAD 2018-based product) the following message is displayed:

"Sorry, this pre-release has expired."

If you installed the 2018.0.1 update on your AutoCAD-based product,  you need to update to 2018.0.2.

This update applies to:

• AutoCAD® 2018
• AutoCAD® Architecture 2018
• AutoCAD® MEP 2018
• AutoCAD® Mechanical 2018
• AutoCAD® Electrical 2018
• AutoCAD® Map 3D 2018
• AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2018
• AutoCAD® Plant 3D 2018
• Advance Steel 2018

AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update applies to AutoCAD LT 2018 only. 

Causes:

As explained here, a mistake that was made with the 2018.0.1 Update could affect users starting June 1, 2017. We quickly resolved the issue by releasing the AutoCAD 2018.0.2 and AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update.

As this update fixes a defect that would cause the product to not start, it is critical for users who installed the initial 2018.0.1 Update to install the AutoCAD 2018.0.2/AutoCAD LT 2018.0.2 Update as soon as possible.

Solution:

Here’s how to do so in three easy steps:

1. Sign in to your Autodesk Account.
2. Choose Product Updates on the MANAGEMENT page.
3. You will see the option for the 2018.0.2 Update. Select the option that is applicable to your product. Then download and install it.

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Important Notes:

• The 2018.0.1 version is listed in About dialog for AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 as version O.61.0.0.  Once updated to the 2018.0.2 version, it will be shown as O.72.0.0.

• If you did not install the AutoCAD 2018.0.2 Update, the product will not start and will display the “pre-release has expired” error message.
  
  
• If you never downloaded the 2018.0.1 Update, the originally released version O.49.0.0 does not exhibit this problem, and will work as expected past June 1, 2017.  However, we recommend that you update to the latest version, which is currently 2018.0.2 (displayed as O.72.0.0 in About dialog box).

 

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