-
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
- How to Transfer a Standalone License
- Install Multiple Versions
-
- 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
- Reserve Licenses with Options File
-
SOLIDWORKS Portal
- How to Create A Customer Portal Account
- How to Reset SOLIDWORKS Account Password
- The SOLIDWORKS Knowledge Base – Help Resolve Your SOLIDWORKS Questions
- Enhancement Requests for SOLIDWORKS CAD Admin Users
- Enhancement Requests for SOLIDWORKS Users
- How to get FREE Certification Testing
- How To Unlock SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal
-
SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide
- 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
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
- Utilizing Cloud Storage with SOLIDWORKS
- Automate File Exports with Task Scheduler
- Troubleshooting Weldment Cut List Consolidation
- How to Collect CXPAs
- SOLIDWORKS Multi-sheet Custom Properties Source
- Show all articles ( 1 ) Collapse Articles
-
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
- Preview Tab Options
- How To Overwrite Latest PDM Version
- Difference Between Versions and Revisions
- Correcting foreign language characters in the FeatureManager Tree
- How to add Hydrostatic Load
- How to manually remove a disconnected PDM Vault View
- How to reset the SQL password for the PDM Vault SQL Server
- How to export search results from PDM
- What To Do When you get the “Excessive Displacement” Warning in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- Show all articles ( 3 ) Collapse Articles
-
- 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
- Create Local Vault View Shortcut
- How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host
- How to Setup a Dedicated Unattended Task Host
- How to use PDM Database Upgrade Tool
- Collect Support Information for PDM
- Update Credentials for PDM Archive Server
- Update Credentials for PDM Database Server
- Creating and Using PDM Labels
- Troubleshooting PDM Notifications
- PDM Cold Storage and How To Use It
- How to set the PDM Preview Tab Viewer
- Show all articles ( 14 ) 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
- SOLIDWORKS Educational Resources
- How to Change the SOLIDWORKS Language
- Change SQL Server License
- Restore Your File Associations
- How To Reset SOLIDWORKS Registry
- Resolve "Sheet Format Could Not Be Located"
- How To Correct The "Default Templates Are Not Valid" Error
- Show all articles ( 11 ) 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?
Performing a Clean Uninstall
SOLIDWORKS: Performing a Clean Uninstall
On the rare occasion that you need to fully remove SOLIDWORKS, you will want to carefully and precisely follow the procedure detailed in this document. This need is considered “rare” because in most situations, SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager can complete upgrades cleanly. This procedure will be useful for anyone wishing to manually scrub a machine for repurposing, or for corrupt installs not resolved with a repair, therefore requiring a complete re-install of the software and all related components.
(Please note that a complete system reformat will accomplish the same goal and may be faster, but will affect ALL installed programs, not just SOLIDWORKS).
1 Access Programs and Features through Windows Control Panel
Select the SOLIDWORKS application that you wish to remove and choose Uninstall. When the Installation Manager launches, you will see a Windows reboot message. Select OK to Continue the installation.
(Note: If the application you wish to uninstall does not show up in Programs and Features, see the end of this document).
2 Choose Product
3 Select Items to Uninstall
5 Reboot if Necessary
6 Complete Uninstall
7 Remove any Registry Locations that Remain
Next, we will want to manually go through and remove (or rename and delete later) any registry locations that remain. To access Windows Registry Editor, begin typing ‘regedit’ in the Windows search on your task bar. Choose to Run as administrator.
Note: Prior to making any changes to the registry, it is a good idea to create and save a backup. Go to File – Export in the Registry Editor. Save your backup*.reg file so that you can easily find it if necessary.
8 Delete Entries
Navigate to and Delete (or rename to *_old and delete later) the following registry entries if they exist:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Dassault Systemes\Composer
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\eDrawings
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\srac
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Dassault Systemes\Composer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\eDrawings
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Srac
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\SolidWorks
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Dassault Systemes\Composer
9 Remove File Locations
Next, we will want to manually remove any file locations that remain. Navigate to and Delete the following file folders if they exist:
C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp
C:\Program Files (x86)\SOLIDWORKS Corp
C:\Program Files (x86)\SOLIDWORKS PDM
C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS
C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS Electrical
C:\SOLIDWORKS Data
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\SolidWorks
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\SOLIDWORKS
***If you are scrubbing your computer to repurpose, restart your PC now. The SOLIDWORKS clean uninstall process is complete***
10 Uninstall Prerequisite Components
If you are planning to reinstall SOLIDWORKS and you suspect that is some corruption of pre-reqs may be causing you some issues or instability, you will want to uninstall all prerequisite components as well. They are as follows:
- Bonjour
- All Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (this will likely be multiple versions, as old as 2005)
- All Microsoft VSTA (Visual Studio Tools for Applications)
11 Restart Computer
Once all prerequisite programs have been successfully removed, restart your computer.
12 Begin Clean Installation
You are now ready to begin your clean SOLIDWORKS installation. For assistance with installing, see SOLIDWORKS Technical Guides under SUPPORT at MLC-CAD.com
If the SolidWorks application you wish to uninstall does not show up in the list of installed Programs, or if the uninstall process fails through the installation manager, you will want to use this Windows troubleshooting tool to individually remove each program until they are all gone:
Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed (microsoft.com)
In some cases, the process may seem to hang. If you are uncertain that the FixIt Tool is still running, be sure to check your task manager. The process may take as long as overnight to run completely and successfully. If the process does hang indefinitely or is Not Responding, kill the process after a couple of hours and launch the tool again. The application was likely successfully removed. Alternatively, if it was not, and the Microsoft tool that is designed to fix uninstall issues fails, it often means that an OS reformat is required.
We hope you found this article clear and helpful. If you have feedback or want to request for more information, let us know!
MLC CAD Systems