NOTE: This blog will be referencing updating SOLIDWORKS for Standalone and Network licenses, not 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS (SOLIDWORKS Connected). For instructions on how to update SOLIDWORKS Connected, see this blog.
If you have a SOLIDWORKS Network license, you will first need to upgrade the SolidNetWork License Manager before carrying out these steps to update the client installation.
Check These Before You Begin:
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The currently installed version of SOLIDWORKS
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Your serial number is still on active subscription
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You have admin rights on your machine
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You've backed up custom settings (like templates, materials, toolbox, etc.)
Topics Covered in This Article
- Identifying Your Installed Version of SOLIDWORKS
- Checking for Updates From a Current Installation
- Updating SOLIDWORKS With a Fresh Installation Manager
Identifying Your Installed Version of SOLIDWORKS
- Start your latest installed version of SOLIDWORKS
- Look in the lower-left corner of the window. There you should find:
- Product tier
- Product year
- Service Pack level
Checking for Updates From a Current Installation
- Start a session of your latest version year of SOLIDWORKS Standalone that you have installed.
- i.e., if you have 2023 and 2024 both installed, perform this in 2024.
- Click on the “?” icon in the top right.
- Select Check for Updates.
- Select the version you'd like to update to and the Installation manager will guide you through the rest of the process.
Tip: If prompted, pay special attention to the option for Hole Wizard and/or Toolbox update. Do not overwrite them if you wish to keep using the same libraries.
Updating SOLIDWORKS With a Fresh Installation Manager
- Log into the SOLIDWORKS Downloads Center. You will be prompted to log in with your 3DEXPERIENCE username/email and password.
- If you cannot access this site, please contact your company's Security Administrator, or your Value Added Reseller (VAR).
- Click on the drop-down arrow to select the version year you'd like to update to.
- Click the link on the left under the "Product" heading that correlates to your desired Service Pack.
- This will download a small Installation Manager to your default downloads folder.
- Navigate to that file in Windows File Explorer, double-click on the SolidWorksSetup.exe file, allow the program to self-extract, and the Installation Manager will guide you through the rest of the update process.
Tip: If you are not changing your serial number, the current active serial numbers will autopopulate for you!
Viewing What's new
- Once your update is complete, be sure to go to the same "?" then click on "What's new" in the drop down to learn about the great new features with your new version of SOLIDWORKS.
