SOLIDWORKS Frequently Asked Questions

Since your school already gives you access to our flagship product for students, use this version instead of signing up for the free SOLIDWORKS Design Standard for Students. SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students includes advanced features like linear static simulations, 3D routing (pipes/tubes/cables), advanced surface flattening, as well as our dull desktop suite of products like SOLIDWORKS Simulation, CAM, Electrical, Visualize, Composer and more. 

Generally, in this case, installation logs show an error with the installation of VSTA (vsta_aide.msi).

When trying to manually install the VSTA component by running vsta_aide.msi, installation of VSAT fails with error code 1305 "Error reading from file' during installation."

Generally, this occurs when the installation is running from OneDrive and the Installation Manager is unable to read some files from OneDrive leading to installation failure.

To resolve the issue, copy the all the downloaded files to a folder that’s local to the system, then run the installation from the local folder.

In most of the cases this problem is caused by unsupported graphics cards and drivers. To verify this, try to start SOLIDWORKS with Software OpenGL (if this option is not disabled due to unsupported graphics card). You can either follow the steps in the above question, or follow the steps below:

1. Launch SOLIDWORKS and without opening any document go to Tools > Options > Performance
2. Enable “Use Software OpenGL”
3. Select OK and now try to open a new part, assembly, or drawing

If SOLIDWORKS does not crash in Software OpenGL mode, this confirms that the problem is due to the graphics card or its drivers. To see the list of SOLIDWORKS supported graphics cards and drivers for your system (if your system is not listed please select Any System Vendor) follow the link: https://www.solidworks.com/support/hardware-certification

The offer includes SOLIDWORKS Design Standard. It does not include other SOLIDWORKS products like Simulation, CAM, Visualize, and others, nor does it include certification vouchers.

For the first time ever, qualified students get free access to SOLIDWORKS Design Standard, the industry-leading 3D CAD software used by professionals and educators. This is the only free SOLIDWORKS student version available.

SOLIDWORKS Design Standard for Students is an entry-level package for core 3D CAD modeling, sheet metal, and weldments. SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students is a comprehensive package that includes advanced features like linear static simulations, 3D routing (pipes/tubes/cables), advanced surface flattening, as well as our dull desktop suite of products like SOLIDWORKS Simulation, CAM, Electrical, Visualize, Composer and more. Two certifications attempts (CSWA & CSWP) are also included with SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students.

Note that the system requirements for commercial versions and Student Edition versions are not different. For details, please check this link: www.solidworks.com/SystemRequirements

This link provides the minimum system requirements for running SOLIDWORKS.

Explore hours worth of free training content within the MySolidWorks Training Catalog. Direct support is limited to installation and licensing issues only through a Student Support request. For technical questions, visit the Student Support FAQs.

The free version is currently available in these countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan. We target to launch the free SOLIDWORKS student version globally on July 1, 2026.

You can download the Student Edition from www.solidworks.com/SEK

If you have a serial number (9020…), you can follow these steps to download:

1. Go to the link www.solidworks.com/SEK
2. Select “Yes” for the Option "I already have a serial number that starts with 9020"
3. Choose the appropriate SOLIDWORKS version from the drop/down list
4. Select ‘Request Download’ and accept terms and conditions
5. Click ‘Download’ > exe will be downloaded

If you have an SDK-ID:

1. Go to the link www.solidworks.com/SEK
2. Select “No” for the Option "I already have a serial number that starts with 9020"
   (Note:  Your serial numbers will be displayed on screen later, as well as provided via email, once you proceed for downloading)
3. Enter your SDK-ID (This ID can be obtained from your teacher/professor at school/college/university)
4. Choose the appropriate SOLIDWORKS version from the drop/down list
5. Select ‘Request Download’ and accept terms and conditions
6. Click ‘Download’ > exe will be downloaded

You can get a SOLIDWORKS® Student Edition serial number:

• By purchasing the SOLIDWORKS Student Edition package.
• By purchasing the SOLIDWORKS Student Edition for Military Veterans if you qualify.
• Through your school or university. Ask them to give you a home-use license.

If you lost your serial number, which starts with 9020, do one of the following:

• Ask your school if they can give you the serial number again.
• If you installed SOLIDWORKS on your computer, follow these steps:
  1. Open SOLIDWORKS.
  2. In the Help menu [question mark symbol], select About SOLIDWORKS > show the serial number.
• If you purchased SOLIDWORKS Student Edition, the online reseller CleverBridge sends you a post-purchase email containing the serial number. To find it, do the following:
  1. Search your mailbox for the term “CleverBridge.”
  2. Check your spam or junk folder.
  3. If you are unable to find the email, ask CleverBridge to resend this email. Contact them at:  https://student-store.solidworks.com/1566/?scope=opcuseco&id=q2OAGNndkQ

For information about troubleshooting issues with SOLIDWORKS Student Edition, see the Student Edition FAQs sheet. You can use either of the following links to access the FAQ sheet:
https://www.solidworks.com/support/frequently-asked-questions?tid=293
https://www.solidworks.com/sw/education/All_product_support_req_form.html

Note that SDKs (Student Design Kits, or Student Standard) are a limited version based on the SOLIDWORKS Standard package. Add-in products like Toolbox, Simulation, Routing, etc. are not included in the SOLIDWORKS Standard package. You can check the products that are included in Standard and other packages by using the link below:

www.solidworks.com/solidworks-3d-cad

If you want to use add-in products, please purchase the SOLIDWORKS Student Edition license through this link: www.solidworks.com/studentstore

This error is related to the installation of prerequisite VC++ components. To troubleshoot the issue, try reinstallation of VC++ components manually:

1.  Go to Start > User Account > User Account Control Settings. Set it to “Never Notify”. Restart the system
2.  Login as administrator
3.  Uninstall VC++ redistributable components (2008 and 2010 and 2012, 2013, 2015) from Programs and Features
4.  Restart the computer
5.  Login as administrator
6.  Reinstall: VC++ 2008 and 2010 and 2012, 2013, 2015
   
   [a] downloaded files\prereqs\VCRedist9\vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe
   [b] downloaded files\prereqs\VCRedist10\vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe
   [c] downloaded files\prereqs\VCRedist11\vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe
   [d] downloaded files\prereqs\VCRedist12\vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe
   [e] downloaded files\prereqs\VCRedist14\vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe
    
7.  Restart your computer
8.  Login as administrator
9.  Install SOLIDWORKS

You might be receiving this error during installation because you may not be using a supported virtual machine for SOLIDWORKS.

Note that SOLIDWORKS is not supported on all virtual machine environments. You can find the list of supported environments with this link: www.solidworks.com/SystemRequirements