All Products
Can SOLIDWORKS customers with standalone licenses of SOLIDWORKS be able to convert them to SNL licenses?
Yes, your reseller can discuss the agreements and fees required to convert standalone licenses to an SNL.
What if I don't have an Internet connection?
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.
SOLIDWORKS crashes on startup
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:
- Launch SOLIDWORKS Rx from Start > All Programs > SOLIDWORKS(version) > SOLIDWORKS Tools
- 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
Why do I receive a warning, “Your serial number does not entitle you to SOLIDWORKS <version>”?
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.
Where can I find basic tutorials to learn the fundamentals of SOLIDWORKS?
If you have installed SOLIDWORKS on your computer, you can access the tutorials by following these steps:
- Launch SOLIDWORKS. Navigate to Help > SOLIDWORKS Tutorials.
- 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.
I did not receive an email with SOLIDWORKS serial numbers after using the SEK ID provided by my school/university. What should I do?
Note that an email with serial number(s) is sent only for SDK licenses (Student Design Kit). If you are trying to install an SEK license, you will need to obtain a SOLIDWORKS SEK or Student Edition serial number (it begins with 9020...) from your SOLIDWORKS instructor at your school/university.
Once you have the correct serial number, you can follow the steps below to download and install SOLIDWORKS:
- Go to this link: solidworks.com/SEK
- Select “Yes” for the Option "I already have a serial number that starts with 9020"
- Choose the appropriate SOLIDWORKS version from the drop/down list
- During the download you will need your serial number to install and activate the license
Why is SOLIDWORKS requiring customers to activate their software?
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.
Who will be required to activate their products?
All SOLIDWORKS products are on product activation and will be required to activate with the exception of eDrawings.
Can SOLIDWORKS Customers have standalone and SNL licenses?
Yes, customers can have a combination of standalone and SNL licenses
How does SOLIDWORKS keep this information secure?
We use the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to transmit data to product activation servers that are both physically secure and have limited employee access.
What is software piracy?
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.
Does the activation process ever send data to SOLIDWORKS after I activate my product?
No. Activation is a secure and anonymous one-time process. After activation is complete, the license manager runs alongside the product for the sole purpose of verifying the integrity of the license file and the validity of the product license. The activation technology in the product never contacts SOLIDWORKS except with your express knowledge and consent.
We use the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to transmit data to product activation servers that are both physically secure and have limited employee access.
Can resellers disable a license from the activation server?
Yes, resellers can disable a customer’s license through the Activation Manager.
Does the activation technology store data to the hard drive, outside the normal file system?
The activation technology uses a robust and proven algorithm to safely write its license data to an unused sector of the hard drive located in track zero. This technology has been used in a variety of software installed on millions of computers worldwide, and verified to be safe by independent sources.
This approach allows license data to remain safe even if the product or operating system require reinstallation. In rare cases where the algorithm determines that writing to track zero may cause a potential conflict, it uses an alternative file system based anchor for the license data.
When did SOLIDWORKS introduce product activation?
Product Activation for standalone products was introduced in 2007 and for SNL products 2010.