How to Reregister Add-ins for PDM Clients
When a SOLIDWORKS PDM API add-in is present in the file vault, the add-in files are downloaded from the archive server to each client and automatically registered for the logged in Windows user. If these cached add-ins become corrupted or fail to update correctly, they may stop working and users will not be able to perform associated tasks. This guide explains how to force PDM to reregister the add-ins on the PDM client.
When add-ins may need reregistered
- When running PDM Tasks and an error indicates the add-in version does not match.
- PDM Client displays the wrong/older version of an add-in. Compare the following version numbers to determine if this is causing the behavior:
- PDM Client cached add-in version for the logged in Windows user
- PDM Client software version
- PDM Server add-in version
The example below shows a mismatch between the cached client add-in and the PDM server versions. This scenario would cause version errors when running PDM Tasks. Reregistering the add-ins on the PDM client will update the cached versions and resolve the behavior.
Access the Task Host Configuration from the Windows Task Tray > right-click the PDM icon.
The Task Host Configuration displays version 3205 (SOLIDWORKS PDM 2024 SP5)
Review the PDM client version in SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool > Help > About SOLIDWORKS PDM. This example displays 33.5 (SOLIDWORKS PDM 2025 SP5)
Review the server add-in version in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool > Vault Name > Add-ins
This version displays 3305 for all add-ins (SOLIDWORKS PDM 2025 SP5)
Method 1: Force Add-in Reregistration via Registry
- Close SOLIDWORKS and Exit PDM by right-clicking the PDM tray icon and selecting Exit.
- Restart Windows Explorer. DO NOT simply close and then open Explorer. It needs to be restarted in Task Manager.
- Open Windows Task Manager
- Right-click Windows Explorer and select ‘Restart’
- Open Registry Editor and update the TableVersion registry value shown below. Change TableVersion to any number different from the current value (e.g., change 5 to 10). Then Close Registry Editor.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\Vaults\[VAULTNAME]\Add-ins
- Log back into the PDM vault. The add-in .caf files will download, extract, and register automatically when the user browses the vault.
- Review the add-in version and test the task/functionality.
Method 2: Clean Up Old Add-in Files (Optional)
Use this method if you want to remove previous cached add-ins to prevent accidental loading.
- Close SOLIDWORKS and Exit PDM (right-click the PDM tray icon and select Exit).
- Restart Windows Explorer. DO NOT simply close and then open Explorer. It needs to be restarted in Task Manager.
- Open Windows Task Manager
- Right-click Windows Explorer and select ‘Restart’
- Navigate to the local add-in cache folder in Explorer.
You can simply copy and paste the path below into Explorer’s address bar and press enter:
%localappdata%\solidworks\solidworks pdm\plugins\
Or manually navigate to:
C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS PDM\Plugins
- Open the folder matching your vault’s name.
- Delete all files and subfolders inside the vault folder, but DO NOT delete the vault folder itself. The folder should be empty when you’re done. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
- Launch PDM and test by browsing the vault. New .caf files will download, extract, and register. Note: Error messages may still appear on the first login because registration occurs after login completes. This is expected behavior. Navigate into the vault and then test the behavior.
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