SOLIDWORKS Frequently Asked Questions

The issue can appear if you:

• Use some custom scaling on your system.
• Use Windows compatibility mode settings to run SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager [Installation Wizard].
• Use 115% or greater text size.

Follow these steps to resolve the issue: 

1. Resize the text size to 100%.
   1. Press the Windows key from the keyboard.
   2. Type Make text size bigger and press Enter.
   3. Set the text size to 100%.
   4. Right-click the SOLIDWORKS setup file setup.exe and select Run as administrator.
   5. On the summary screen, tick the License agreement check box and click Download and Install
2. If the issue persists, perform the following steps:
   Change the scale and layout settings:
   1. Go to windows search and type settings and press enter.
   2. In the search window, type Change the resolution of the display and press enter.
   3. In the Display setting under the Scale and layout section, change the size of text, apps, and other items to 100%.
   4. Run the SOLIDWORKS setup file and check if it resolves the issue. Also, check by changing the size to 125% and 150%.
3. If the issue persists, perform the following steps:
   1. Right-click on the SOLIDWORKS Setup file and select Properties.
   2. Select the Compatibility tab.
   3. Uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode for: option.
   4. Select a 640 x 480 resolution and run this program as an administrator.
   5. Run the setup file and check the operation.
   6. Also, try changing the settings in change high DPI settings and check the operation again.
4. If the issue persists, perform the following steps:
   1. Right-click the SOLIDWORKS setup file setup.exe and select Run as administrator.
   2. Follow the on-screen instruction until reach the Summary screen.
   3. Click the Installation Manager [Installation Wizard] window and scrolled so you can see the Change options.
   4. Press the Tab key until the first Change option is highlighted.
   5. Press the Tab key four or five times and then press the spacebar key to accept the license agreement.
   6. You should now be able to select the Download and Install or Install Now option.

If the issue persists, contact the student support team.

The Administration Guide has some references and information about automating the installation using administrative images and silent installation.

To prepare, you should actively learn about the AI capabilities within your chosen CAD software. Experiment with features like generative drawings and predictive modeling. Focus on strengthening your understanding of the entire product development cycle, from concept to manufacturing. This positions you as an expert who directs the AI tool, not one who is replaced by it.

You can apply realistic materials, finishes, and lighting in SOLIDWORKS for Makers to showcase how your furniture will look before you produce it. These renderings are great for planning, visualization, or sharing your work online.

There are two simple tests you can do:

1. Verify if your local machine can see the server machine over the network, open a DOS window and type the following command: ping [server_name]. If the server machine is accessible, you will get a reply message listing the IP address of the server. If the server machine is not accessible, you will get an error message stating "Bad IP address". A bad IP address can be caused by misspelling the server name, or by network connectivity problems.
2. Make sure more complex TCP/IP protocols are being routed properly, try doing a telnet to the port on the server where there FLEXLm server is residing, type: "telnet [server_name] [port_number]". The default SW FLEXlm port number is 16560. If you get an error message "connection failed", this indicates that there is insufficient TCP/IP routing between the client and the server. You will need to see your network administrator to get this resolved before SolidNetWork License will work.

This error can occur if prior license information is still available on your system, or if the installation is performed with a prior version serial number.

Try the following to troubleshoot:

1. Rename the FLEXnet folder and try the activation again:
   Go to C:\ProgramData\FLEXnet and rename the folder FLEXnet (may be to FLEXnet_old) (The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder. Either you can enable to show hidden folders from Folder options, or you can directly type c:\Programdata into the address bar and press enter to access this folder. You will be able to find the Flexnet folder.)

2. Try to activate again and if the error still occurs, confirm that a valid serial number is used for the SOLIDWORKS installation by modifying the installation. If the serial number is not a valid one, please change and input the correct serial number:
   1. Go to Start > Control Panel >SOLIDWORKS
   2. click ‘Change’ to modify the installation. Select ‘Modify the individual installation (on this computer)’ >click ‘Next’
   3. Under ‘serial number’ make sure that your valid serial number is in use
   4. If not, replace the serial number with a valid one and click ‘Next’
   5. Follow the instructions to complete the modification
   6. Rename the FLEXnet folder and try to activate again

If the problem still occurs, try doing a repair installation of SOLIDWORKS by following the steps below:

1. Go to Start > User Account > User Account Control Settings. Set it to “Never Notify”. Restart the system
2. Login as administrator
3. Turn off all anti-virus, popup blocker, ad-ware and spy-ware applications along with Windows Firewall
4. Go to Start > Control Panel >SOLIDWORKS and click ‘Change’ to repair the installation
5. Select ‘Repair the individual installation (on this computer)’
6. Click ‘Next’. Follow the instruction to complete the modification
7. Try activating again

Please try the following to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Rename the FLEXnet folder and try the activation again
   Go to C:\ProgramData\FLEXnet and rename the folder FLEXnet (maybe to FLEXnet_old)
   (The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder. Either you can enable to show hidden folders from Folder options or you can directly type c:\Programdata into the address bar and press enter to access this folder. You will be able to find the Flexnet folder)
2. Try the activation again

Student Edition serial numbers are version-specific. This error can occur if a previous version serial number was used for installing a new version. (i.e., the serial number used for the installation is not entitled to the version you are trying to install).

It might be possible that the previous version serial number was automatically taken from the registry (as it was available in the registries) on the serial number page and the user continued without modifying it.

Hence, on the Serial Number page of the Installation Manager, please ensure that the correct serial number is entered. If any serial number is automatically displayed, remove it and enter the correct serial number. Proceed with the installation.

This issue can occur if the SOLIDWORKS Downloads folder [which includes the installation files] is present in OneDrive. For example:

C:\Users\[username]\OneDrive\documents\SOLIDWORKS Downloads\SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP05

Follow the below steps to resolve the issue:

1. Install CEF for SOLIDWORKS applications manually:
   1. Uninstall CEF for SOLIDWORKS application if it is present under [Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features]
   2. Go to swcef folder present under: C:\Users\[username]\OneDrive\documents\SOLIDWORKS Downloads\SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP05\swcef
   3. In the swcef folder, right-click the setup.exe file and select run as administrator.
   4. Install SOLIDWORKS.
2. If the issue persists, move the SOLIDWORKS2025 SP05 folder to any local folder on your computer. For example:
   1. Move the SOLDIWORKS 2025 SP05 folder from: [C:\Users\[username]\OneDrive\documents\SOLIDWORKS Downloads\SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP05] to Public Downloads folder in the following path: [C:\Users\Public\Public Downloads].
   2. Run the setup.exe file from [C:\Users\Public\Public Downloads\SOLIDWOKRS 2025 SP05] folder.

If these steps do not resolve the problem, please submit a support request.

This message can appear during the activation of the SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students license or with the SOLIDWORKS Student Engineering Kit [SEK] license. The serial number of these licenses starts with [9020…].

This message can appear because of the following reasons:

1. If your serial number is of an older version [say SOLIDWORKS 2025], and you use this old serial number to install a newer version [say SOLIDWORKS 2026]. Here, as your license is of an older version [say 2025], it will not work with the new version [say 2026]. 
   Note: SOLIDWORKS Student licenses are version specific and backward compatible.
   For example: You can use a 2024 version license to install SOLIDWORKS 2024 or an older version [like SOLIDWORKS 2023, 2022…]. However, the 2024 version license will not work with the newer version [2025, 2026…].
2. If an old serial number auto-populates on the serial number screen during the installation. For example: An older [say 2023] version serial number is present on your computer from a previous installation. This old serial number can automatically appear in the serial number field during the installation of the new version [say 2025].

Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Uninstall all SOLIDWORKS versions present on your system. [If any]
   1. Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features.
   2. Search for SOLIDWORKS [Version] > right-click it and select Uninstall.
   3. In the Installation Manager, under Advanced Options click Change
   4. By default, the software selects the Program files and folders option. Select the remaining items [Registry Entries and Data Files and Folders] and click back to Summary.
   5. Click Remove Items.
   6. Once uninstallation is complete, restart your system.
2. Check the version of your license and download the appropriate version [2026 or 2025 or 2024…] setup file from: www.solidworks.com/SEK 
   To determine the version of your license, you can check the name of the product in the purchase invoice email. For home use license [which is provided by your school], check the name of the product in the instruction provided by your school or university. 
   For example: If the product name is:
   1. SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students – 2026: This means you can install SOLIDWORKS 2026 or older version [2025, 2024...]
   2. SOLIDWORKS Design Premium for Students – 2025: This means you can install SOLIDWORKS 2025 or older version [2024, 2023...]. Note: In this case, your license will not work with the later SOLIDWORKS 2026 version.
3. During the installation, on the serial number screen:
   1. Always enter your new serial number manually in 3D Design under the SOLIDWORKS check box.
   2. Leave all the other products [like composer, Visual, simulation, CAM, Electrical...] serial number check boxes blank and unchecked.
   3. Click Next and proceed with the installation.
4. If the software automatically populates some serial numbers on the Serial Number screen, follow these steps:
   1. Enter your new serial number manually on the Serial Number screen in the 3D Design, SOLIDWORKS check box.
   2. Uncheck the check boxes of all the other product's [like composer, Visual, simulation, CAM, Electrical...] on the serial number screen.
   3. Click Next.
   4. If the following message appears, then select Yes and proceed with the installation: 
      "Are you sure you want to remove the SOLIDWORKS Composer [or Visualize, Simulation, Flow Simulation, CAM, Electrical...] serial number from the computer? This could cause existing applications to stop working."

You can import reference images or 3D scans directly into your workspace using the Sketch Picture tool. By including a ruler or known dimension in the photo, you can accurately scale your model. This makes it easy to recreate parts such as dash panels, brackets, or body sections without manual re-measuring.

It is not uncommon that consumers to purchase or use non-genuine software unknowingly. Unauthorized resellers often offers non-genuine software with an attractive package to entice unknowing customers into purchasing.

Makers use DIY CNC software to cut panels, engrave designs, mill parts, and prototype components for furniture, art, and mechanical builds. With SOLIDWORKS for Makers, you can model assemblies, generate 2D drawings, and export DXF or DWG files for use with routers, mills, or laser cutters.

SOLIDWORKS for Makers makes it easy to design jigs, templates, and fixtures that can be 3D printed to match your wood parts. You can check the fit and tolerances in your 3D CAD model, then export parts for printing to create cutting, drilling, and assembly guidance that is more accurate and repeatable.

The quickest way to access technical support is to create a service request in our 3DSupport App or call your SOLIDWORKS Reseller. It’s that simple.