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How to use the SolidWorks Installation Manager

Level - Intermediate

The purpose of the SolidWorks® Installation Manager is to provide a simple, robust way to download software for new versions and service packs. The SolidWorks Installation Manager was designed to streamline and accelerate the download process. Instead of having to pick, download, and extract multiple files, the SolidWorks Installation Manager will detect and handle this for you. The Installation Manager is available for SolidWorks 2007 and higher.

The download acceleration (optional) will take available bandwidth to speed your download. If the download is interrupted, it will also resume the download. This can interrupt access to the Internet by other users.

Requirements and notes:

• Access to the Internet
• If your company has a firewall there are two site that you need to allow access to the following servers for the Installation Manager, im.solidworks.com and activate.solidworks.com
• For performance log reporting you must also include performance.solidworks.com to send in the log via HTTP (SolidWorks 2007 and higher).
• The Installation Manager can be used to create or update an individual or administrative image installation. Admin images are used to create a common deployment image for other client computers

SolidWorks Download page

The first step when downloading software is to visit the SolidWorks Customer Portal, login (using email address or serial number) with an active Subscription Service contract and select Download Software and Updates as shown below.

The SolidWorks Installation Manager web page will then appear as shown.

Click the Start link to install, and update if needed, the Installation Manager. Once the Installation Manager has been installed the application will start. A windows program group named SolidWorks Installation Manager is also created.

Running the Installation Manager

The following steps are displayed when using the Installation Manager.

Step 1 – Select I am managing a administrative image on a network to create an admin image . For an individual installation, leave this unchecked (default). Click Next to continue.

Step 2 – If you have more than one serial number, click the option to enter the additional serial numbers. Note: Most users do not need this option.

Step 3 – Select the version, if more than one tab is shown, and options to download from the listing. Click Next to continue.

Step 4 – Select the location to download the files. Also, you can turn off the download acceleration on this page. Click Next to continue.

Step 5 – The software will download and show you progress. Click Next to continue.

Step 6 – Once the download is complete, you have the option to start the installation, install later (restart the Installation Manager), or install manually (browse to the Download folder and double-click the installation setup files). Click Next to continue.

Step 7 – If Install Now was selected the installations will start automatically and progress will be displayed. Click Next to continue.

Check for Updates

After the Install process you will be asked whether you want to enable automatic updates. You can also check for updates by starting the Installation Manager.

The Check for Updates features is found under the Help menu and the dialog box is as shown below. You can Check Now, never check, or check on a weekly basis for updates. If an update is available, the Installation Manager will start and check for what needs to be updated.

Conclusion

Using the SolidWorks Installation Manager simplifies downloads and updates. The Installation Manager can be used with an individual or admin image installation.

The Installation Manager handles what needs to be downloaded, and the installation order to insure a better installation or upgrade.