How to restore SOLIDWORKS file shortcut options in Windows Explorer

Many SOLIDWORKS users are used to access SOLIDWORKS which appears when we right click on any part, assembly or drawing file within Windows Explorer. This SOLIDWORKS file option has various sub-options such as Pack and Go, Rename, Replace and Move. Hence, it allows user to create pack and go of the file right from the file explorer.

Usually this SOLIDWORKS option appears when we right click on SOLIDWORKS files, but sometimes it disappears when some updates occur on our machine such as recently one of our customer updated his Microsoft Office 365 and this SOLIDWORKS option was gone. Here is the image that shows this option missing when we right click on the SW file in file explorer.

SOLIDWORKS option missing on right click

To bring back this SOLIDWORKS option we will have to make some changes to the SOLIDWORKS registry in registry editor and here the steps to do so:

Step 1:  Run Registry editor as an administrator:

Go to Start > Type Regedit > Right click on Regedit and run as an administrator. This will launch registry Editor.

Step 2: Locate registries of SW file extensions

Locate the following path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts

Within file extension locate all three file extensions for SW parts (.SLDPRT), assemblies (.SLDASM) and drawings (.SLDDRW) and then rename them. After renaming all three extensions registry editor should look like this.

Rename SOLIDWORKS file extension registries

Renaming the registries should bring back SOLIDWORKS option on the right click of all SW file types; parts, assemblies and drawings.

SOLIDWORKS option available when right-clicking on files in file explorer

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS

Attend a SOLIDWORKS Essentials training course either in a Canadian classroom near you or live online. For more information about SOLIDWORKS software and training call 1-877-219-6757.