How To Reset SOLIDWORKS Registry
How to reset the SOLIDWORKS registry (and then revert if needed).
SOLIDWORKS
The Windows registry keys associated to SOLIDWORKS installation and settings can be reset to default to start SOLIDWORKS as a default installation or as a troubleshooting step to resolve unexpected behavior. The reset registry can also be reverted, if needed.
CAUTION: Incorrectly editing the registry can severely damage your operating system. The SOLIDWORKS Technical Support team strongly suggests that you back up the registry data before making any changes to the registry. If you are unfamiliar with the registry, please work with your IT group to make these changes.
Close all instances of SOLIDWORKS
- Close all instances of SOLIDWORKS.
- Launch the Windows Registry Editor by clicking the Windows Start icon and typing: regedit
- In the Registry Editor, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks
- Expand the SOLIDWORKS folder. This folder contains multiple folders/keys that control different aspects of SOLIDWORKS. There are separate folders listed for each version of SOLIDWORKS installed on the machine. The image shows a machine with SOLIDWORKS 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 installed.
- Right-click the folder which represents the version of SOLIDWORKS that you want to reset and the select Rename.
- Rename the folder to SOLIDWORKS <version_Backup (In this example: SOLIDWORKS 2022_Backup).
WARNING! If you have SOLIDWORKS PDM installed, never rename the top-level folder named SolidWorks. If you have a need to rename the SolidWorks folder, reach out to MLC CAD Systems Technical Support.
Launch SOLIDWORKS version for which you just renamed the registry folder.
Launch the SOLIDWORKS version for which you just renamed the registry folder. The end user license agreement will display as if this is a default installation for a new user. Accept the agreement and wait for SOLIDWORKS to open fully.
When the program starts...
When the program starts, since the system could not locate the renamed SOLIDWORKS registry folder for that version, it will create a new registry folder with default associated keys. Press F5 to refresh the registry, which will now have a new SOLIDWORKs <version> folder which was created by SOLIDWORKS when it launched as default.
Now, the SOLIDWORKS registry (user interface, system settings, file locations, customization) has now been set to default.
How to Undo the Registry Reset
If the unexpected behavior you were experiencing has been resolved with the registry reset, GREAT! You can now configure your SOLIDWORKS user interface, settings, file locations, etc. and start designing again.
If the unexpected behavior is still present, then the registry should be set back in the Registry Editor before continuing with troubleshooting.
- Rename the new SOLIDWORKS <version> folder to SOLIDWORKS_Default (red arrow in the image).
- Rename SOLIDWORKS <version_Backup to SOLIDWORKS <version> (green arrow in the image).
- Launch SOLIDWORKS and verify your user interface, settings, file locations, etc. are back to when your customized settings.
- Now, you can safely delete the SOLIDWORKS_Default folder.
Technical Support
If you have any follow-up questions and are an MLC CAD Systems customer, please contact support at 800-364-1652 x 2 or by email at solidworkssupport@mlc-cad.com.
You can also click here to submit your Technical Support Case.