How to install SOLIDWORKS Connected on a PC where SOLIDWORKS Desktop is already installed – in three steps

This guide is for you who want to switch to using SOLIDWORKS Connected on a PC that already has an installation of SOLIDWORKS Desktop (also known as the "goold old" version of SOLIDWORKS).  If you do not have SOLIDWORKS installed on the PC, you can skip straight to step 3 below. If you are not sure, we got you covered - just read on. 

If you need help for any other installation scenario than this guide describes, please contact your technical support for your country

See our guide: What is the difference between SOLIDWORKS Desktop and SOLIDWORKS Connected 

Not sure what product you have installed? Go to our guide: What SOLIDWORKS product is installed on my PC? 

The three steps are:

1. Check this first. Are you using any template files or Toolbox, that you want to continue using?

2. Uninstall SOLIDWORKS Desktop. 

3. Install SOLIDWORKS Connected. 

1. Check this first before installing SOLIDWORKS Connected: If the answer is YES to any of the items below, go to our guide: How to transfer template files and settings to SOLIDWORKS Connected  
Are you using Toolbox?
Are you using shared SOLIDWORKS file templates and Sheet Format files that you want to continue using?
Are you using a shared library of Weldment Profiles?
Are you using any other templates, like BOM templates?
Are you using a SOLIDWORKS Routing & piping library?
Do you have any user settings that you want to keep?

2. Uninstall SOLIDWORKS Desktop.

Typically, you will want only one Solidworks year version on your PC. If you do require to have two different year versions, keep in mind that Solidworks Connected is always the latest year version.

Go to the list of installed Apps in Windows (right-click on the Windows Start button, choose “Installed Apps” on the top of the list

Find SOLIDWORKS in the list, click on it and select Uninstall (illustration). This will start Installation Manager for that year version, which will take care of the uninstallation process. If you have other year versions on the same PC, you might want to uninstall those as well later.

Installation Manager will start and guide you through the process of uninstalling. You will see a list of SOLIDWORKS products belonging to the year version you are uninstalling. You will uninstall all products in this year version, so put a cross on all. Follow the instructions you see on the screen. When you click Remove Items, If you are uninstalling a standalone license version of SOLIDWORKS, you will see a window that lets you choose whether to Deactivate now or Uninstall without deactivating. Choose Deactivate now. SOLIDWORKS Connected will use a different licensing method. (illustration). If uninstalling SOLIDWORKS using a network license, you will not get this question.

Let Installation Manager finish the uninstallation. When done, Installation will show you this message:

You may choose to do a clean uninstall, but please keep in mind that this will remove all SOLIDWORKS Settings on your PC – so make sure to back those up first, as explained in Step 1 above.

3. Install SOLIDWORKS Connected.
This step requires that your 3DEXPERIENCE administrator has invited you to your company’s platform, and granted you the role 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Standard/Professional/Premium. S

SOLIDWORKS Connected is always the latest year version of SOLIDWORKS.   

Log on to your 3DEXPERIENCE Dashboard on your Company’s platform (https://eu1-ifwe.3dexperience.3ds.com/)
Click on the Compass button (big blue round button on the top left)
In the list of roles, choose 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS:

In the list of apps, click on SOLIDWORKS Connected. It will then check if the app is installed. Click on Install Now.

If this is the first 3DEXPERIENCE app you are installing, the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher will install first:

After downloading the file, the Setup of 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher will start:

Press continue to move on:

This will bring you back to the choice “Install Now”:

After Pressing “Install Now”, In the next step, click on “Install All Roles Containing SOLIDWORKS Connected”:

The Installer will then launch.

If this is the first PC installing any 3DEXPERIENCE-related software in your company, you should run the Cloud Eligibility Checker to make sure your PC is ready, and it has contact with the 3DEXPERIENCE Servers.

Choose the installation directory. Use the default directory.

Choose Toolbox/ Hole Wizard location.

From here, the installer will install the software. When done, this screen will show:

As soon as the installation is done, you are ready to use SOLIDWORKS Connected. The first time you launch it after installation, as well as after every update, make sure to launch it from the compass button when you are logged into the platform:

 If you made a backup of template files etc in Step 1, you can now point SOLIDWORKS to the new file locations – as described in that guide.