SOLIDWORKS Frequently Asked Questions

The software will successfully reactivate in most cases. If your attempt to reactivate fails, please contact your Reseller Support for help.

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. Since SOLIDWORKS is not starting at all in this scenario, you can try to start SOLIDWORKS with Software OpenGL through SOLIDWORKS Rx:

1. Launch SOLIDWORKS Rx from Start > All Programs > SOLIDWORKS(version) > SOLIDWORKS Tools
2. On the ‘Home’ tab of Rx under ‘SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes’ click the option “Click here to launch SOLIDWORKS in Software OpenGL mode.”

If SOLIDWORKS does not crash in 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

You have a 30-day grace period before activation is required. Activating over the Internet is a quick, one-time process. If your computer is temporarily offline, you can activate the next time it's online. Once the product is activated, the activation process no longer needs to connect to the Internet. If you are installing on a computer that will never be connected to the Internet, you can activate your license by emailing your request file directly to SOLIDWORKS.

To move your software to a new computer you, first need to transfer your software license. Transferring your software license will immediately deactivate the software on your original computer so that you can activate your software on a new computer.

Software piracy is the illegal and unauthorized downloading, copying, modifying, use, or distribution of copyrighted software that violates the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA). Find out more about SOLIDWORKS License Agreement.

Product Activation for standalone products was introduced in 2007 and for SNL products 2010.

If you have installed SOLIDWORKS on your computer, you can access the tutorials by following these steps:

1. Launch SOLIDWORKS. Navigate to Help > SOLIDWORKS Tutorials.
2. Navigate to Help > SOLIDWORKS Tutorials.

 If you are using a SOLIDWORKS Student Premium license (SEK, or Student Engineering Kit) or a SOLIDWORKS Student Edition license, you can access the SOLIDWORKS tutorials on MySolidWorks.com after registering your serial number (one that begins with 9020…). Refer the related FAQ in this document about how to register your serial number on MySolidWorks.com to gain access to all the videos and learning resources.

Note that full access to MySolidWorks.com is not automatically granted for Student Standard (SDK, or Student Design Kit) licenses.

All SOLIDWORKS products are on product activation and will be required to activate with the exception of eDrawings.

Student Edition serial numbers are version-specific. Hence, this warning will be given if the serial number used for installation is not entitled to the version selected during installation (mismatch). From the download drop/down list, make sure to select the entitled version (the version you purchased) and then download and install again.

Product activation is a simple way to reduce and deter unauthorized use and casual copying of SOLIDWORKS products with a minimal effect on our loyal customers.