How to Transfer a Standalone License
How to Transfer a Standalone SOLIDWORKS License
SOLIDWORKS Standalone licenses (serial numbers beginning with 9000…) use single machine activation locked to a specific computer and internal hardware ID. The license can be transferred to another computer by deactivating on one and then activating on another computer using the process below. You can also watch a video explanation at the end of the article.
A few scenarios which require a SOLIDWORKS license to be transferred:
- Switching between desktop and laptop.
- Purchasing a new computer.
- Before making a hardware change, such as a new hard drive.
- Before reformatting your existing computer’s operating system.
If you uninstalled SOLIDWORKS without deactivating, you can still download and install just the SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard Application to deactivate on that computer so the license can be activated on another computer. There is a video at the end of the article if you prefer that format.
Locate your SOLIDWORKS Serial Number
Before transferring your license, verify which serial number is installed on the computer to be deactivated within SOLIDWORKS by selecting Help > About SOLIDWORKS. Click ‘Show Serial Number’ to display the 24-character alphanumeric serial number. Record this number to install on the other computer.
Launch Product Activation
Depending on the version of SOLIDWORKS installed, the menu locations in the help menu may vary slightly.
- SOLIDWORKS 2020 and newer, select Help > Licenses > Deactivate…
- Note the Help menu is now the “?” inside a circle in the upper right corner.
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 to 2019, select Help > Deactivate Licenses…
- SOLIDWORKS 2015 and prior, select Help > Transfer Licenses…
- SOLIDWORKS 2020 and newer, select Help > Licenses > Deactivate…
Select Products to Transfer
In the upper section of the newly opened SOLIDWORKS Product Activation dialog, select which product(s) to transfer from the list, or choose the ‘Select All’ button to choose all products.
Activation Details
In the lower section of the dialog, choose how you would like to deactivate. ‘Automatic over the internet’ is the recommended method. If the computer does not have direct access to the internet, follow the instructions given to create an activation file to send via email on another computer.
Note that some versions of SOLIDWORKS Product Activation require an email address to be entered to proceed. If required, enter your email address, and click Next.
Confirm Results
The ‘Automatic over the internet (recommended)’ activation method will finish the deactivation after a few moments and provide a message that it has been successful. Click Finish to close the dialog. SOLIDWORKS will also close automatically, as it is no longer activated.
For the ‘Manually via e-mail’ activation method, you will be prompted to save a Request file (text file). Copy this file to a computer with internet access and attach it to an email addressed to activation@solidworks.com. Within 10 minutes, you should receive an email back with a Response file from their automated system. Copy this file back to the SOLIDWORKS computer. Run through the same Manual Deactivation process but click ‘Open’ to load the Response file. This will complete the deactivation process.
If deactivation fails, collect the license information and the result message to reach out for support.
Activate on Another Computer
Install SOLIDWORKS on another computer or modify a current installation to switch the serial number to the one you just deactivated.
When you launch SOLIDWORKS on a computer where the software is not currently activated, the system will display the SOLIDWORKS Product Activation wizard as in Step 2. Once the activation is completed, the dialog will display the products and their associated expiration dates.
Transfer a License (2018 and prior)
Transfer a License (2019+)
Technical Support
If you have any questions or experience unexpected behavior, feel free to reach out to MLC CAD Systems technical support.