How to Troubleshoot the SOLIDWORKS License Will Expire Message and Manually Deactivate a SOLIDWORKS License

From time to time, we have customers call us and ask why they keep getting the message "SOLIDWORKS licenses will expire in XX days" when they start up SOLIDWORKS. SOLIDWORKS allows you to use the software without activating it only for a short time. What can cause a "Licenses will expire in XX days" message on a SolidNetWork License (SNL) client machine? There are several reasons this could occur.

1. One of the reasons the "SOLIDWORKS licenses will expire in XX days" message appears is because an evaluation or previous standalone license was installed on the computer. A simple fix is to open SOLIDWORKS, and then, pull down the Help menu and pick Transfer Licenses to transfer the license.

2. Another cause of this issue is a temporary license. SOLIDWORKS looks for temporary licenses before it starts up the program. Make sure there are not any on the system. Using Windows Explorer, browse to the following location: C:ProgramDataSolidWorks.

Note: ProgramData is a hidden system folder. In Windows Explorer, press Alt+T and go to Folder options. On the View tab, Make sure that Show hidden files , folders, and drives is selected.

Delete any .lic files from this folder location.

How Do I Manually Deactivate a License

If steps 1 and 2 do not resolve your issue, the activation based license may be in a "hung state." Here are the steps to manually delete the license from a user's machine:

1. Open a Windows Explorer window and browse to <SOLIDWORKS Install directory>setupi386

Note: Replace < SOLIDWORKS Install Folder> with the location SOLIDWORKS is installed to. The default install directory is C:Program FilesSOLIDWORKS CorpSOLIDWORKS. Mine is different because I customized my installation directory.

2. Next, click your Start button and type "cmd" without the quotes and press Enter to launch the DOS window.

3. Drag and drop the swactwiz.exe file from Windows Explorer into the command prompt window. You will see the file path appear.

4. Type in the following at the end of the text line: /dellic /primprod:solidworks

5. Press the Enter key. The following message will be received: "Do you really want to delete the SOLIDWORKS Standard product license?"

6. Click Yes.

That's it! The "SOLIDWORKS licenses will expire in XX days" message should no longer occur. Run SOLIDWORKS and verify that the issue is resolved.

You can use this same method to manually delete other SOLIDWORKS product activations. Depending on which activation license you want to delete, run one the following DOS prompt command:

– For SOLIDWORKS:
<SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe /dellic /primprod:SOLIDWORKS

– For SOLIDWORKS Simulation:
<SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe /dellic /primprod:cae_cwcore

– For SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation:
<SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe /dellic /primprod:cae_cosmosfloworkscore

– For SOLIDWORKS Plastics Standard
<SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe/dellic /primprod:plastics_pro

– For SOLIDWORKS Plastics Professional
<SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe/dellic /primprod:plastics_premium

– For SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium
<SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe/dellic /primprod:plastics_advanced

Note: Replace <SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder> with the location SOLIDWORKS is installed to. <SOLIDWORKS Installation Folder>setupi386swactwiz.exe should be enclosed in quotes ("text") if there are spaces in the path to swactwiz.exe

Please check back to the CATI Blog as the Dedicated Support Team will continue posting new series of articles every month that go further into the details of many of the SOLIDWORKS tools. All of these articles will be stored in the category of Daily Dose…..of SOLIDWORKS Support.

Neil Bucalo, CSWP, CSWS-MD
Computer Aided Technology
www.cati.com