Solid Solutions Logo

FAQ's

Installation/Upgrade

To begin installing SolidWorks ®:

  • Insert the SolidWorks ® DVD media disc. The installation manager will automatically run and attempt to contact the SolidWorks® server through the internet (you will need an internet connection for this and to activate the software). The installation manager will then download the latest service pack. Once complete the installation will begin.
  • Follow the prompts and input the type of software product (SolidWorks, SolidWorks Office, SolidWorks Office Professional, or SolidWorks Office Premium) licence you have purchased along with you serial number (16 numeric digits found on the DVD box ) when required. Having chosen the appropriate product licence the appropriate add-ins will install automatically. Install the SolidWorks® software to an individual machine or too many clients.

Service packs are applied from downloads within major releases. You can upgrade (for major releases) from either DVD or a download, but the DVD is required to later apply service packs. Registration codes (8 alphanumeric characters) are generated automatically from information about the product and the serial number.

Activation/licence transfer

Every single user licence is tied to given machine (until transferred away see below) Activation is a one time process. You must have an internet connection to complete this process. To activate your software:

  • Start the program. A window prompting you to activate the product now or later is displayed.
  • Ensuring you have an active internet connection select activate now and click on next at the bottom of the window.
  • The next window asks if you wish to activate 'automatically over the internet' or 'manually via email'. Choose 'automatically over the internet' and click next at the bottom of the window.
  • A small window identifying that the server is currently being contacted pops up for a few seconds followed by another window telling you the activation was successful. On this window click on finish and the program will start.

Licence transfer: The software can only be used on one machine at a time under a single user licence. However to move the licence and use the software on a different machine the licence may be transferred. The licence is first transferred away (back to SolidWorks) from the PC currently in use and then activated on the other PC.

  • To transfer away a licence first ensure you have an active internet connection then while the program is open on the Help menu select Transfer licences.
  • On the window which pops up select 'automatically over the internet' and click next. The process will take a few seconds after which a window appears telling you the transfer completed successfully. You may now activate the licence on the other PC.

Hardware Requirement and Software requirement

Due to the high quality of the vast majority of most of the PC components (e.g. processor and hard drive) and operating system the key factors in your choice of a laptop or PC for use with SolidWorks are the graphics card and the RAM. SolidWorks tests graphics cards to approve them for use with the software. You can view a list of approved cards and associated drivers.

The quantity of the RAM you need is dependant on the complexity of the parts or assemblies you create/manipulate. In general when using the operating system windows XP at least 1Gb of RAM and preferably 2Gb should be used while when using Windows Vista at least 2Gb and preferably 4Gb as Vista requires nearly 1Gb for its own functionality. You can view further details on hardware choice.

  • 64 bit machines and software: When using this type of system (as opposed 32bit) no performance benefit will be found but it does provide the ability to use a much larger quantity of RAM which can be necessary when rendering very large assemblies.
  • It is possible to run SolidWorks on lower quality machines (e.g. 512Mb RAM, 128Mb Nvidia geforce graphics card) but the adverse affect on your system performance will increase with part and assembly size.
  • SolidWorks is only supported on Windows operating systems.