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How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Client

Install the SOLIDWORKS PDM Client and Connect to Your Vault

SOLIDWORKS PDM has two components. The server installation and the client installation. The server components are set up by an administrator, and the PDM Client must be installed separately on each user's machine. This article covers all three common installation scenarios, plus how to create a vault view once the client is installed.


Before You Begin
  • You must have Windows administrative permissions on the machine.
  • The SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (setup.exe) is used for all scenarios below.
    • This can be downloaded here: https://www.solidworks.com/support/downloads
      • If you are unable to access the SOLIDWORKS downloads page after logging in, please reach out to your SOLIDWORKS Value-Added Reseller (VAR) to have them associate your contact to your organization's site in DSx.Client.

TIP: If you need to install SOLIDWORKS PDM on a large number of computers, consider using an Admin Image instead of this process.

Scenario 1: Installing SOLIDWORKS and PDM Client Together

Use this if neither SOLIDWORKS nor PDM Client is currently installed on the machine.

  1. Download and launch the SOLIDWORKS installation manager or run setup.exe from your SOLIDWORKS installation folder.
    1. If a "Windows reboot pending" dialog appears, select OK to dismiss it. This can safely be ignored.
  2. Select Install on this computer → Next.
  3. Enter your SOLIDWORKS serial numbers → Next.
    1. A SOLIDWORKS PDM serial number does not need to be added. Only SOLIDWORKS Design or any additional SOLIDWORKS products you have require the serial number to be entered on this page.
  4. Under Products, select Change.
  5. Scroll down and check SOLIDWORKS PDM Client along with any other desired products → Back to Summary.
  6. On the Summary screen, find SOLIDWORKS PDM Options and select Change.
  7. Configure your PDM Client options (see PDM Client Options below).
  8. Select Back to Summary, accept the license agreement, and click Install Now.

Scenario 2: Adding PDM Client to an Existing SOLIDWORKS Installation

Use this if SOLIDWORKS is already installed and you need to add the PDM Client.

NOTE: If SOLIDWORKS was installed using an Admin Image, the Change option will not be available. You will need to uninstall and reinstall SOLIDWORKS with PDM Client selected.

  1. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features (or Uninstall a program).
  2. Select your SOLIDWORKS installation and click Change.
  3. Choose Modify your installation → Next.
  4. Verify your serial numbers are correct → Next.
  5. On the Product Selection screen, check SOLIDWORKS PDM Client → Next.
  6. On the Summary screen, find SOLIDWORKS PDM Options and select Change.
  7. Configure your PDM Client options (see PDM Client Options below).
  8. Select Back to Summary, accept the license agreement, and click Modify Now.

Scenario 3: Installing PDM Client Only (No SOLIDWORKS)

Use this for machines that need vault access but won't run SOLIDWORKS (e.g., managers or document control users).

  1. Download and launch the SOLIDWORKS installation manager or run setup.exe from your SOLIDWORKS installation folder.
    1. If a "Windows reboot pending" dialog appears, select OK to dismiss it. This can safely be ignored.
  2. Select Install on this computer → Next.
  3. Uncheck SOLIDWORKS and leave serial number fields blank → Next.
  4. When warned about no serial number, select OK.
  5. On the Product Selection screen, check eDrawings and SOLIDWORKS PDM Client → Next.
  6. On the Summary screen, find SOLIDWORKS PDM Options and select Change.
  7. Configure your PDM Client options (see PDM Client Options below).
  8. Select Back to Summary, accept the license agreement, and click Install Now.

PDM Client Options

When prompted for SOLIDWORKS PDM Client Options, configure the following:

PDM Product

Select the PDM product that matches your company's license — PDM Standard or PDM Professional.

PDM Client Type

Select the type your company has licenses for:

Type Description
Editor Full access including the SOLIDWORKS PDM add-in
Contributor Can check files in/out, but no SOLIDWORKS add-in
Viewer Read-only access; can still participate in workflow approvals

Add-ins

Only enable add-ins for software already installed on the machine. For PDM Client-only installs (Scenario 3), the Microsoft Office Integration add-in is typically recommended.

 

Creating a Vault View

After installation, each user must create a Vault View to interact with the PDM vault. This is done using the View Setup Wizard.

  1. From the Windows Start menu, open the SOLIDWORKS PDM folder and select View Setup.
  2. On the Welcome screen, select Next.
  3. On the Select servers screen:
    • If your archive server is listed, select the checkbox next to it.
    • If not listed, click Add, enter the server's name, and select OK.
    • If prompted for credentials, enter the Windows credentials of a user with Attach Access to the PDM server.
  4. Select Next.
  5. On the Select vaults screen, check the vault(s) you want to connect to → Next.
  6. On the Select location screen:
    • Choose where on the local machine the vault view folder will be created (default is the root of the C: drive).
    • Choose Only for me (stored per user) or For all users on this computer (requires Windows admin rights).
  7. Select Next and review the Status column.
    1. It should display Ready.
  8. Select Finish. The status will update to Completed.

The vault view will now appear in Windows File Explorer, and users can begin checking files in and out.

 

Need more help? Contact our support team.