Install SOLIDWORKS 2018
(valid for Windows 10 Pro, 64 bit, cannot be installed in a virtual machine, setup described below is possible from USB
memory/HDD, aprox time required 60 – 150 min, during setup you should connect/disconnect the computer from the
Internet)
1. Connect computer to Internet (LAN or WiFi).
2. Check if Excel is installed on your system. If not installed some SolidWorks features will
not be available (e.g. SOLIDWORKS Inspection) and a warning message will appear and
you shoud click Ok/Continue.
3. Check if .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.7 are installed. If .NET Framework 3.5 (including 2.0)
is not installed open Control Panel (press Win+R, write control and press Enter) then go to
Programs and Features -> Turn Windows features on or off -> select .NET Framework
3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and select it and press Ok
4. Click on Let Windows to Update download the files for you and wait until .NET
Framework is installed
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5. Disconnect the computer from any Internet connection (LAN, WiFi etc). This step is
very important in order to install and activate SOLIDWORKS,
6. Mount SolidWorks.2018.SP2.0.Premium.DVD.iso (right-click on the file and select Mount
option)
7. Run "SolidWorks.2017-2018.Activator.SSQ.exe" from SolidSQUAD folder using
administrator right (right-click on file --> Run as administrator)
8. Press "1. Set Serial Numbers" button, then select "Force Local Activation Serial
Numbers" from drop-down list and press "Accept Serial Numbers""
9. Confirm serial number change using Yes
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10. Then select Ok at the warning message
11. Press "2. Activate Licenses" button. From the list "SolidWorks 2018 Products", select
products to activate by toggling "Activate" or "Skip" on every product and "Details" to
tweak features if required. Finally press "Activate Licenses" to activate licenses. SolidWorks
PDM Professional license (ex Enterprise PDM) license will be also generated and prompted
to save on disk as "sw_d.lic"
12. Press Yes to confirm activation:
13. If you want to activate SolidWorks PDM Professional license (ex Enterprise PDM) license
will be also generated and prompted to save on disk as "sw_d.lic". If you don't need this file
you can press No otherwise press Yes and save the file in a location on your computer.
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14. Press Ok at the warning message regarding licenses activation.
15. Close SolidWorks.2017-2018.Activator.SSQ.exe window
16. From DVD drive start setup.exe to install SolidWorks 2018 (including PDM Client if
required). Dont install SolidNetwork License Server (SNL).
17. Select Individual and click on Next
18. Unselect products you don't want to install (e.g. SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic,
SOLIDWORKS PCB etc) and press Next. It should be be necessary to confirm package
removal.
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19. If SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager window appear select Cancel button
20. From Summary window select CHANGE near Download Option and unselect Use the
background downloader for future service packs. Finally press Back to Summary.
21. Select I accept the terms of the SOLIDWORKS and click Install Now
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22. Press No at "The Installation Manager was unable to determine the current subscription
expiration date. Would you like to reactivate your license to update this information?"
prompt.
23. If the window "The Installation Manager was unable to determine the current subscription
expiration date. Would you like to reactivate your license to update this information?"
appears, press Cancel
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24. Wait to complete install (20-60 min) depending on your computer performance
25. Unselect Show me what's new in SOLIDWORKS 2018 and „No, thank you” for Join the
SOLIDWORKS Customer Experience Improvemenet Program, from Installation Complete
window
26. Click on Restart Now when is requested:
27. After computer restart run again "SolidWorks.2017-2018.Activator.SSQ.exe" from
SolidSQUAD folder using administrator right (right-click on file --> Run as administrator)
28. Press "3. Copy Loaders" button, select "SolidWorks 2018 Products" and press "Copy
Loaders" button to confirm. All running services related to SolidWorks will be stopped and
loader fixes copied to appropriate directories.
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29. Press Yes to confirm loader copy:
30. Press Ok on warning message Loaders copied!
31. Press "4. Activate Express Products" button, select "SolidWorks Xpress 2018 Products"
and press "Activate Xpress Products (RUN FOR EVERY USER)"
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32. Press Yes to confirm activation:
33. Press Ok on warning message Activation codes deployed!
34. (OPTIONAL) If activation of eDrawings Professional and SolidWorks Workgroup PDM
Viewer is required, press "5. Activate Other Products" and press "Activate Miscellany
Products" button to confirm.
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35. Press Yes to confirm activation:
36. Press Ok on warning message Activation codes deployed!
37. Close the activator
38. Reboot the computer
39. Start SOLIDWORKS 2018 using Desktop
shortcut and Accept License Agreement
40. Start using SOLIDWORKS 2018!
eboot computer
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