White MLC Logo
CONTACT US
White MLC Logo
CONTACT US
White MLC Logo
CONTACT
Skip to main content
You are here:

Default SOLIDWORKS File Locations

SOLIDWORKS users can specify folders for numerous ancillary file types and references. Below is a list of default SOLIDWORKS file locations set by the system during installation. Any of these file locations can be customized to store your customized SOLIDWORKS templates in a custom location for sharing with a team or to keep the customized files safely outside the defaults in case you ever need to reinstall or transfer SOLIDWORKS to a new computer. 

 

Locations can be accessed in Tools > Options > System Options tab > File Locations 

Reset (lower left) Restores factory defaults for all system options or only for options on this page.
Show folders for Lists file types for which you can define a search path.
Folders Displays search paths for a given file type.
Add Adds a folder for the selected type of document.
Delete Deletes the selected folder. To undo deleting a folder, click Cancel.
Move Up or Move Down Changes the folder search order.
Edit All Edit text for all file locations. Includes Find and Replace options.
Default SOLIDWORKS File Locations

Notes for specific file types: 

    • When you select a file location for Macros, and then you run a macro, the software looks for a macro in the specified location. For example, when you click Tools > Macro > Run, the Run Macro dialog box opens to the file location you specified. 
    • The paths for Referenced Documents are searched only if you selected Search file locations for external references in Tools > Options > System Options > External References. 
    • Design Checker Files, which sets the location for *.swstd Build Checks files, is available only when the SOLIDWORKS Design Checker is added in. 
    • To view annotations, a Symbol Library Folder that contains the file GTOL.SYM must be specified. 

 

The SOLIDWORKS software uses default file locations for the following file types. File types that have an undefined default location do not appear in the list. Folders listed for each category are searched in the order in which they are listed. 

During SOLIDWORKS automated file creation, such as when mirroring parts or assemblies, saving bodies or assemblies as part files, or importing files from other applications, SOLIDWORKS uses template files specified in Tools > Options > System Options tab > Default Templates. 

View this guide to learn how to display ProgramData in Windows File Explorer.

File Type Default Location File Extension
Document Templates 1 C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\templates .prtdot,
.asmdot,
.drwdot
Document Templates 2 C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\Tutorial
Referenced Documents C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SOLIDWORKS version\design library\routing .SLDPRT,
.SLDASM
Bend Table Template C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldbndtbt
BOM Templates C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldbomtbt,
.xlsx
Color Swatches C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\colorswatches .sldclr
Costing Report Template Folder C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .dot,
.xlt
Costing Templates C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\lang\english\Costing templates
Custom Property Files C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\lang\english properties.txt
Design Library 1 C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\Design Library
Design Library 2 C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\design library
Dimension/Annotation Favorites C:\Users\user\Documents .sldstl,
.sldnotestl,
.sldgtolstl,
.sldsfstl,
.sldweldstl,
.sldfvt
DimXpert Callout Format File C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english txcalloutformat.txt
DimXpert General Tolerance File C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english general tolerances.xlsx
Drawing Scales Standards C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english
General Tables Template C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldtbt
Hatch Pattern File C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english
Hole Callout Format File C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english calloutformat.txt
Hole Table Templates C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldholtbt
Material Databases 1 C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\sldmaterials SOLIDWORKS DIN Materials.sldmat,
solidworks materials.sldmat,
sustainability extras.sldmat
Material Databases 2 C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\Custom Materials Custom Materials.sldmat
Material Databases 3 C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\Sustainability Sustainability Extras.sldmat
Punch Table Templates C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldpuntbt
Revision Table Templates C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english
Search Paths C:\SOLIDWORKS Data Any Folder
Sheet Formats C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\lang\english\sheetformat .slddrt
Sheet Metal Bend Line Note File C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english bendnoteformat.txt
Sheet Metal Bend Tables C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\Sheetmetal Bend Tables .xlsx,
.btl
Sheet Metal Gauge Table C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\sheet metal gauge tables .xlsx
Sustainability Report Template Folder C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english sustainability_report.dot,
sustainability_assembly_report.dot
Symbol Library Folder C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\lang\english gtol.sym
Thread Profiles C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\thread profiles *.SLDLFP
Title Block Table Template C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english
Weld Table Template C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldwldtbt
Weldment Cut List Templates C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english .sldwldtbt
Weldment Profiles 2021 and before: C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\weldment profiles
2022 and later: C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\data\weldment profiles 		.sldlfp
Weldment Property File C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english\Weldments weldmentproperties.txt
3D PDF Themes C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\data\themes
Structure System - Connection Elements C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\data\Structure System - Connection Elements
Inspection Project Template Folder C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS Inspection version AddIn\Templates
Inspection Report Template Folder C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS Inspection version AddIn\Templates

Technical Support

Get help from our team by Calling us at 800-364-1652 x 2. You can also get assistance by clicking the Technical Support button or the Email Our Experts button below. 

Technical Support
Email Our Experts
Get Training Now
Last Updated On
byRick Braine
Scroll to Top