How To Deactivate SOLIDWORKS Without Launching

What happens if you need to deactivate your SOLIDWORKS license so it can be transferred to a new machine, but you are not able to launch it? Maybe SOLIDWORKS is crashing and you need to move the license, or you have already uninstalled it but forgot to deactivate it. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to deactivate your SOLIDWORKS license whether SOLIDWORKS is installed or not.

Deactivate SOLIDWORKS if still Installed

1. Navigate to “C:\Program Files\<your SOLIDWORKS installation directory>\setup\i386“

NOTE: The default location is “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\setup\i386“

2. Double-click on either swactwiz.exe (for standalone) or swactwiz_s.exe (for network host) to launch the Activation Wizard

swactwiz.exe file locations

3. Choose the option to ‘Move your product license(s) to a new/upgraded computer‘

Activation Wizard Deactivate Option

4. ‘Select All‘ licenses, make sure you have entered your email address in the required box, and continue to deactivate.

Select Licenses & Enter Email

Make sure you receive the ‘Deactivation Succeeded‘ message.

Deactivation Succeeded Message

Deactivate SOLIDWORKS if no longer Installed

If you have already uninstalled SOLIDWORKS from the active machine, you do not need to install the entire application again in order to deactivate it. However, you will need a valid SOLIDWORKS 3DEXPERIENCE ID and license(s) on subscription to obtain the files yourself. If you do not have an account or license on a subscription, scroll to the bottom of the page for instructions.

1. Navigate to the SOLIDWORKS Downloads page. Make sure you are logged into your account
2. Choose the latest version of SOLIDWORKS you had installed from the ‘Select Version‘ drop-down and select the ‘SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard‘

SOLIDWORKS Downloads Website

3. This will download and allow you to install the SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard (swactwiz.exe). From there, launch the application and follow steps 3 and 4 above to deactivate.

Having Issues?

If you have issues logging into your 3DEXPERIENCE account to access downloads, do not have any licenses on subscription, or need a version earlier than the ones listed on the website, please contact our SOLIDWORKS Support Team and request a copy of the activation wizard. Please make sure you specify the version you need when submitting the request.