How to Install Solidworks Student Edition (UM)

Instructions on installing Solidworks and solutions to common problems launching or install.

Instructions on how to install the Student edition of Solidworks. Also includes troubleshooting steps for some common errors encountered during install and first launch.

Instructions

1. To retrieve your Solidworks serial number visit our How to License Solidworks Student Version Article
2. Once you've downloaded the Solidworks installer, move the SolidWorksSetup.exe file your Desktop.
3. Double click SolidWorksSetup.exe and select Unzip. This will launch the Solidworks Installation Manager
4. Select "Install On This Computer" and click Next
   
5. Under "3D Design" Check "SOLIDWORKS" and enter your STUDENT serial number and click Next.
   
6. Accept the terms of service (the "I accept the terms of the  SOLIDWORKS" checkbox at the bottom) and click "Download and Install". This will complete the install process.
   
   Note: If you do not need Solidworks Electrical, it is suggested you don't include it during install. It uses Microsoft SQL and can cause complications during install or when you go to upgrade later on. To remove Solidworks Electrical:
   1. On the Summary page click Change next to Products
   2. Uncheck Solidworks Electrical in the list
   3. Click Back to Summary.

Troubleshooting

Solidworks Is Not Supported on Windows XP

Problem

When trying to run the Solidworks installer it gives you an error that Windows XP is not a supported operating system, even though you are running it on Windows 10 or newer.

Solution

Move the Solidworksetup.exe file out of the Downloads folder (such as the Desktop) and run the install again.

Change Serial Number

Solidwork will not activate, or asking for license server, because of an incorrect serial number. There are two ways to fix this.

Method 1

1. Open Settings>Apps
2. Click Solidworks and select Modify
3. In the Solidworks Installion Manager select the Modify option and click next.
4. Remove the existing serial number and enter the new one. 
5. Click Next and Modify Items. 

Method 2

1. Open Registry Editor
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Licenses\Serial Numbers
3. Double click the key called SolidWorks
4. Delete the existing serial number and enter the new one
5. Close the Registry Editor and relaunch the Solidworks Activation Wizard.
6. Select Activate/Reactivate Your Product License and click Next.
7. Follow the rest of the steps in the Activation Wizard to complete activating your license.

Environment

• Windows
• Solidworks