Installation
- SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
- Preparing for Installation
- How to Download SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (.EXE)
- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How To Order A SOLIDWORKS Media Kit
- Installing – A Complete Overview to Managing a CAD Environment
- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard: How to Transfer SOLIDWORKS License
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- Install the 3DEXPERIENCE Add-in for SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Adding License to an Existing SolidNetwork License Manager
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install the SolidNetwork License Manager
SOLIDWORKS Portal
SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide – 2021 Update
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- How to Store SOLIDWORKS Templates on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- How to Adjust Annotation Formatting and Spacing
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
PDM
- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- Enhancement Requests for PDM Users
- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- PDM Search Operators
- How to Set PDM to Details View in Windows File Explorer
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Results – Which Configuration’s Variables are Displayed?
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Server Recommendations
- PDM Backup Procedures
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- PDM Major Minor Revisions
- How to Set Revision Manually in PDM
- How to Set Up Revision Tables
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool
- How to Configure the SOLIDWORKS PDM Local HOSTS file to Resolve Server Name
- Show all articles ( 3 ) Collapse Articles
- Create Local Vault View
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- How to Install PDM Client Software
Known Solutions
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- Show all articles ( 4 ) Collapse Articles
Simulation
- Simulation Meshing Guide
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation Studies
- Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
- Is SOLIDWORKS Simulation Accurate?
- Getting Started with Simulation
- The Basics of Setting Up a Study in Simulation
- Do I Need Non-linear Simulation?
How to Repair SOLIDWORKS Installation
If you are experiencing unexpected, machine-specific behavior with SOLIDWORKS products installed using the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (SOLIDWORKS, PDM, Simulation, eDrawings, Inspection, Composer, Electrical…), you can use a special SOLIDWORKS repair tool to attempt repairing the installation. While a repair is not intended to target specific symptoms, it is a good broad-stroke tool to employ at first if you encounter odd behavior before considering a clean reinstall.
What is SOLIDWORKS Repair?
Built into the SOLIDWORKS Installation manager, the repair option uses the Microsoft Windows Installer to run the solidworks.msi in the background. Microsoft Windows Installer reviews everything that should be in the SOLIDWORKS installation directory and Windows Registry related to SOLIDWORKS products, comparing them to the installation media. If a problematic file is found (i.e. missing, or incorrectly registered), then the installer overwrites the file from the installation media. In comparison to a clean reinstall, a repair will maintain the user settings and user interface customization, while the reinstall will revert these back to default.
Verify Installation Files Exist
The repair function is one reason why you should not remove or relocate the files used to install SOLIDWORKS products. Prior to running the SOLIDWORKS repair, verify the installation files exist in the same location as when you installed them. The file path must be the same as when you installed for the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager to locate the files required for the repair.
- If you installed from the DVD, verify you have DVDs available for the specific SOLIDWORKS version.
- If you installed from your local machine, the default location for these files is C:\Users\
\Documents\SOLIDWORKS Downloads - If a network location was used to install, then you need to be connected to that same network to run the repair and the file path must be the same as when you installed.
In the following steps, if Uninstall is the only option available, then SOLIDWORKS was installed using an Administrative Image controlled by your CAD Administrator, which requires a different procedure to be followed to repair the installation using Administrative Image options. Have your CAD Administrator contact MLC CAD Systems Technical Support for detailed instructions.
How to Run the SOLIDWORKS Repair Tool
1 Locate the SOLIDWORKS installed program by:
> For Windows 10 users, click Windows Start icon > Settings > Apps & Features and then click Modify to launch the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.
> For Windows 7 users, navigate to the Windows Control Panel > Programs > Program Features and then select Change to launch the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.
If the Repair does not resolve the unexpected behavior, contact contact MLC CAD Systems Technical Support for detailed instructions.