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How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SOLIDWORKS PDM Client

Performing the following steps reinstalls a SOLIDWORKS PDM client “cleanly” and removes registry entries and files that are normally left behind after uninstalling SOLIDWORKS PDM. 

 

This procedure can be useful when troubleshooting a problematic client system and you want to make sure that there is no old or mismatched information causing the problem. 

 

WARNING: Only perform these steps on a client workstation on which no server components exist. If you follow these instructions on a system that hosts the archive server or database server, the existing file vaults may stop functioning. 

Considerations

    • Performing these steps will remove any existing local file vault views already set up. 
    • Prior to performing the clean uninstall process, verify that all checked out files on the client workstation are checked back into PDM. If this is not possible, then create a copy of the local vault view folder before proceeding. Otherwise, any files not checked into PDM will be lost. 
    • This procedure requires changes to the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes to the Window Registry can cause installed applications or Windows to fail. Use caution when making changes to the Windows Registry or have an IT professional make these changes for you. 

Clean Reinstall of Other SOLIDWORKS Applications

Clean SOLIDWORKS PDM Client Reinstall Process

  1. Check in any files that are checked out in local vault views on the client computer. 
  2. Remove all local vault views by right-clicking each view in File Explorer and selecting ‘Delete file vault view’.
How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SOLIDWORKS PDM Client

If you were able to check in files during step 1, select ‘Delete the cached file vault files and folders from the local hard disk’. This will completely remove the local vault view and its contents. 

How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SOLIDWORKS PDM Client

If you were unable to check in all files during step 1, select ‘Leave the local contents of the file vault view as normal files and folders’. This will leave the files in the local folder (standard yellow Windows folder). The folder can then be renamed to include suffix _OLD to access the files later (example ACME_OLD).

Note, the folder MUST be renamed, or you will not be able to create a new local vault view of the same name in the same location. 

How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SOLIDWORKS PDM Client
  1. Uninstall SOLIDWORKS PDM from Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall a program. If multiple SOLIDWORKS products are installed, be sure to only select SOLIDWORKS PDM Client from the list of products to uninstall within the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.
  2. Restart Windows to release any active program files or add-in DLLs.
  3. Delete the following SOLIDWORKS PDM-specific registry keys:

     

    CAUTION: Incorrect changes to the Window Registry can cause installed applications or Windows to fail. Use caution when making changes to the Windows Registry or have an IT professional make these changes for you. 
        • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise 
        • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise 
        • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise

           

  1. Navigate to C:\Users\<logged in Windows user>\AppData\Local. Quick tip, you can navigate to this folder by clicking the Windows Start menu, type %localappdata% and press Enter.
  2. Step into the SOLIDWORKS folder and delete the ‘SOLIDWORKS PDM’ subfolder ONLY. 
How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SOLIDWORKS PDM Client
  1. Delete the following installation folders, only if they still exist after step 4: 
        • C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS PDM\ 
        • C:\Program Files (x86)\SOLIDWORKS PDM\

           

  1. Reinstall SOLIDWORKS PDM client.
  2. Recreate the local vault view.
  3. Test to make sure the clean reinstall resolved the unexpected behavior. 

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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. 

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Last Updated On
byRick Braine
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