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How to Stop Educational Version Watermarks On Your New Commercial SOLIDWORKS Files

While removal of a watermark from a SOLIDWORKS part or drawing already created with an Educational or Maker's license isn't possible, this article provides step-by-step instructions to stop the watermark from being added to new files after purchasing and installing a commercial license of SOLIDWORKS.

 

  • This will cover uninstallation and registry entry modification - local admin rights will be required
  • If you have extensive customizations to file-paths or your SOLIDWORKS UI, it might be worth-while to perform a Settings Wizard Backup prior to performing the following


Topics covered in this article:

1. Uninstalling your current Educational version of SOLIDWORKS

2. Modifying your Registry to prevent watermarks

3. Install the commercial version of SOLIDWORKS

 

Step 1: Uninstalling SOLIDWORKS with an Educational license
(if you have already uninstalled, proceed to step 2)

  1. Start your Windows Add/Remove programs 
  2. Find your installation of SOLIDWORKS
  3. Click the three dots and select Uninstall. This will start the Installation Manager
  4. Click on "Change" to the right of Advanced Options
  5. Be sure to select the Registry Entries option
  6. Click Back to Summary, then Remove Items to complete the uninstall process

Note: If more than one version of SOLIDWORKS was installed with an Educational license, it is recommended to uninstall all versions of the software at this time.

 

Step 2: Registry renaming

The next steps involve renaming keys within your Registry Editor. The process is simple, but you will need admin rights. Do not delete anything or make changes to any entry other than those explicitly outlined below. If you're uncomfortable performing these tasks, contact your IT department for assistance. SWYFT Solutions cannot be held accountable for any undesired behavior as a result of these actions.

  1. Click your Windows Start button and type "regedit" and select the Registry Editor
  2. Click on the little arrow to the left of the folder to expand the HKEY_CURRENT USER folder, then expand the SOFTWARE folder, then find the SOLIDWORKS folder (your list of installed software may differ from what's shown below).

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks
  3. Right click on the "SolidWorks" folder and select Rename. Rather than wiping out the entire name, add a suffix that you'll recognize, for example "SolidWorks_EDU-bkup". That way should anything go awry you can rename this back to the original and restore the previous settings.

  4. Repeat step 3, but for the following keys (please note some keys may have already been deleted by the uninstall process as mentioned in Step 1)

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Dassault Systemes, AND
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SolidWorks, AND
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\SolidWorks

  5. Once you have renamed all four registry keys, exit the Registry Editor, then restart the computer.


Step 3: Reinstalling your Commercial SOLIDWORKS License

  1. Install the new version of SOLIDWORKS with your commercial license: 
    1. Click here for instructions on installing 3DEXPERIENCE SOILDWORKS

      - or -

    2. Click here for instructions on installing SOLIDWORKS Standalone (serial number managed)

  2. Upon starting SOLIDWORKS, the registry entries should re-create themselves per default SOLIDWORKS settings. You should then be able to create a new file without the watermark. 
  3. For further assistance, contact your Value-Added Reseller (VAR)