Skip to content
Client Portal
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Activation Count Exceeded Message When Launching SOLIDWORKS

If you've ever launched SOLIDWORKS and instead of modeling magic, you receive the message “Activation Count Exceeded. This license has already been activated on another computer." you're not alone. However, if this is an unexpected message, not to worry, a simple deactivation can help save the day! 

NOTE: This blog will be referencing standalone licenses. However, if you are using 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS and serial-number based add-ins (ie Flow Simulation) with your license, the following steps remain the same.

image.png

 

This message is usually received when launching SOLIDWORKS Standalone on a new or sometimes a repaired computer, even if you aren't actively using it on any other computer. The Activation Manager can help solve this for us, and it's quick, easy, and often can be performed on your own.

Common reasons this happens:

  • You upgraded major components of your PC and didn’t deactivate the SOLIDWORKS License first.

  • You uninstalled SOLIDWORKS on another device, but didn’t capture the “Deactivate License” option during uninstall. 

  • Your old device failed or its hard-drive was formatted or re-imaged before you could deactivate.

  • Your old device was lost or stolen.


Here are some steps you can take:

1. Deactivating your license (if you still have access to the device it is currently active on)

2. Contact your Security Administrator to see what serial numbers are currently activated

3. Requesting a de-activation if you no longer have access to the device


Step 1: Deactivating a local installation of SOLIDWORKS (if you still have access to the device the serial number you're trying to use is activated on). 

  • First, start a session of your latest version year of SOLIDWORKS Standalone that you have installed (ie if you have 2023 and 2024, perform this in 2024). Then Click on the “?” icon in the top right. Then select Licenses, then Deactivate.

  • Next, the activation wizard will pop up and you can chose which products you want to de-activate. You can Select All, then chose ‘Automatically over the internet’, input your email, and click Next.



  • Once that is complete, you’ll receive a message letting you know that your products are now deactivated! 
  • After that has been completed, you can launch the new installation you are attempting to use, and it will prompt you to activate automatically. 

Sometimes an installation of SOLIDWORKS will not launch, but you can still perform the above steps. Start Windows File explorer and navigate to the following folder, launch the .exe file, and follow Step 1 above.

For Standalone SOLIDWORKS:
C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\setup\i386\swactwiz.exe

For 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS: 

C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\SOLIDWORKS 3DEXPERIENCE\SOLIDWORKS\setup\i386\swactwiz.exe

Step 2: Contact your Security Administrator

If you're trying to figure out which serial number is being affected but no longer have access to the device, a Security Administrator (this is not the same as being a Platform Administrator) should be able to help. Generally those who are Security Admin will have received an email from Dassault informing them of such. 

  • Ask your Security Administrator to log into myproducts.solidworks.com
  • They will see a list of your company's serial numbers and if they have been activated.
  • You can click on that product to see the computer it is active on and use that information to help determine if you can still access the computer with the serial number in question. If this does not clarify which serial number(s) you need to de-activate, your Value Added Reseller (VAR) can help.

Note: If you or your Security Administrator sees the note below, contact your VAR to have the necessary permissions updated.

Step 3: Requesting your installation be deactivated manually

If you no longer can access the device that is tied to the serial number you wish to deactivate, this is where your VAR steps in. They can work with Dassault to reset the activation tied to your serial number. Just a heads-up though, once this is processed, that serial number will typically no longer be able to be re-activated on the original device. 

Typically your VAR will need:

  • Contact or company name the license is registered under for account validation

  • The SOLIDWORKS serial number in question

  • A description of what happened (“Old PC crashed,” “Machine reimaged,” “Device stolen,” etc.)

 

Helpful links: 

Activate or De-activate Your Serial Number

How to Change Your SOLIDWORKS Serial numbers