Faster ways of Opening Recent Files in SOLIDWORKS 2020

We are always looking for more ways to improve our productivity, where it’s trying to save a few seconds in an assembly line process, or a few clicks of the mouse when working on a model. The single act alone may not seem like much but over time, the accumulation of all those improvements adds up. One method that has been integrated into SOLIDWORKS is how we can access recent files. Let’s go over the faster ways of opening recent files in SOLIDWORKS 2020.

Accessing the Recent Files List

As SOLIDWORKS is a Microsoft Windows-based application, there are a few ways to access the recent files list through familiar windows buttons and features. The images below provide an illustrated guide on how to show the lists.

The Windows Start Menu

If you have added a quick launch button to your Windows start menu, right-clicking the icon will give you a list of recent documents as seen in the image below.

Access from Start Menu

The Task Bar Icon

If the SOLIDWORKS App has been pinned to the Windows taskbar, or SOLIDWORKS is already opened, right-clicking the icon will generate the list is illustrated below.

Access from Task Bar

The Windows Search

You can also access the recent files list by searching for “SOLIDWORKS 2020”.

Windows Search for “Solidworks 2020”

Enabling the Recent Files List

In order to have access to the Recent Files functionality, a Windows Start setting must be turned on. In order to do this:

1. Click the Start Menu and select Settings > Personalization > Start.
2. Verify that Show app list in Start menu and Show recently opened items in
   Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar are On as seen in the image below.

Start Settings

Every step towards efficiency helps out overall workflow and productivity. With faster ways of Opening Recent Files in SOLIDWORKS 2020, though it may be a small step, we can open our files a little bit faster.