How to change the Serial Number of a SOLIDWORKS Installation

Sometimes it may be necessary to change SOLIDWORKS serial number for your installation, for instance if you need to change from a standalone to a network based license, or if you have installed the wrong license (such as perhaps your coworker’s Premium license … ) on your system.

To change the serial number that your SOLIDWORKS installation is using for it’s licensing you do not need to completely uninstall SOLIDWORKS and you don’t have to hack your Windows registry, you can change it directly through the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager.

Steps to change SOLIDWORKS serial number

Step 1.  If you are currently using a standalone SOLIDWORKS license and changing to a different standalone serial number, or changing to a network license serial number, first launch SOLIDWORKS and from the Help menu select “Deactivate License”.

NOTE: This step is not necessary if you are changing from a network license serial number to a standalone serial number, or if you are changing from a trial serial number to a permanent serial number.

Step 2.  If using Windows 10, go to Go to Settings and then Apps & Features.  If using Windows 7, go to the Windows Control Panel and launch Programs and Features.

Step 3.  From the list of installed programs find the SOLIDWORKS installation, select it and click Modify.  (If using Windows 7 select the SOLIDWORKS installation and click Change) 

Please Note:  If the only option available is Uninstall, then SOLIDWORKS was installed using an Administrative Image and a different procedure should be followed.  Have your IT administrator contact your SOLIDWORKS Value Added Reseller for further instructions.

Step 4.  The SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager will now launch.   Select the top option, Modify the individual installation and click Next.

Step 5.  On the Serial Number screen of the Installation Manager you can now change SOLIDWORKS serial number to the new one that you want to use.

Step 6.  Once the new serial number is entered in, click Next through the rest of the installation screens without making any further changes.

On the Summary screen, check the box for I accept the terms of the SOLIDWORKS License Agreement  then click the Modify Now button to finish

Procedure for SOLIDWORKS Add-ins and other products

A similar procedure can be followed if you have purchased a SOLIDWORKS add-in license such as SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Plastics, Flow Simulation, Motion, Composer, Inspection, CAM or MBD.

On the Serial Number screen simply check the box beside the product you wish to add and enter in the serial number.  On the “Product Selection” page make sure that the additional products that should be installed are selected.

If these products are included as part of your network license, use the same serial number that was used for SOLIDWORKS.  The serial number must be added next to the products for them to install, even though it’s the same serial number.